Smoker in a small office - any advice?

[AndHarry]

DH has asked for some advice from you knowledgeable lot. He started his own company a few months ago and has three employees working in a small office. One of them is a smoker and the smell after he returns from his breaks is creating an unpleasant environment for his colleagues.

Any advice on managing this?

[AngryBeaver]

Uuuuugh. Sorry, no helpful advice really, just wanted to day that!

[AngryBeaver]

Oh, we'll actually, isn't there something about BO in the work place?
This could be treated in same way?

[LEMisafucker]

Sack him? really, DP has employed smokers and they are constantly shlepping off for a quick fag "i'll only be five minutes" if that were me, i'd say "take as long a you like, in fact, take the whole day, you're fired" takes the piss so it does.

Sorry, thats probably not very helpful.

[AndHarry]

I'm glad it's not just us finding it tricky!

The chap is in all other respects a model employee. He works extremely hard, is good at what he does, is intelligent and personable... he just smells of fags My suggestions so far have included making him wear a coat provided by the company that he wears to smoke in and then keeps in his car, sending him for a walk round the block after finishing his smoke to let some of the smell blow away (his fag breaks are as short as possible, which weirdly exacerbates the problem) and spritzing him with Febreeze every time he walks through the door. Erm...

[LEMisafucker]

Its quite simple, no fag breaks, why do smokers get to have extra breaks?

[southeastastra]

improve the ventilation, surely there isn't much you can do other than tell him straight and hope he comes up with a strategy.

i had a boss that could smell it on me a mile off and it really annoyed me as i used gum and wafted myself around. i got paranoid and did try to contain the smell.

[mistlethrush]

Can you explain the problem to him and see if he would be willing to use an electronic cigarette (bought for him by the company) during the day?

[BrianTheMole]

I think wearing a smoking coat is a good idea. And washing his hands afterwards. I can't see why someone would object to that.

[AndHarry]

Well I did think having a coat of shame was a winner but DH was unconvinced!

The e-cig idea is brilliant, I think he might go with that. Are they all the same?

Washing hands is a good plan too.

[southeastastra]

please get you dh to mention it to him first though. it may be just simply washing his hands could get rid of the smell.

[smokeandglitter]

LEM, I don't think many smokers take extra breaks do they? I know some people who split their lunch break in half and take two shorter breaks with permission and some people who only smoke in their already set breaks.

I think the coat is a good idea.

[AndHarry]

I will do. DH says it's more his clothes than anything. I suppose the smoke clings to the fibres.