to ask my colleague if he washes his hands after using the toilet?

[FairhairedandFrustrated]

Because every time he moves I get the biggest whiff of poo!

He's in his forties, an intelligent man, but why oh bloody why can he either not a) wipe properly, or b) wash his hands?

I can't stand being near him and often the smell in the small office is enough to make me hurl!

There are 4 of us in the office and myself and our closest colleague smell it and have often remarked "did we stand in something".. trying to ask without hurting his feelings.

But now I don't care if his feelings are hurt... I can't stand the smell of shit he brings with him! Nor can I stand the smell he leaves in the bathroom on a Monday (rich pickings at weekends!) nor the poo that won't flush..

He often wears the same clothes 5 days in a row - so if it's skiddies in his pants then we're fucked.

How would you address it?

And would I be unreasonable to ask him every time he uses the bathroom "have you washed & flushed?"

Please report this to you Mnaager and don't say another word about it, to either him, or any of your other colleagues. Coz actually, this aint that funny.

You're right it isn't funny. I would get a strong airfreshening block for my desk and spray to use when he's not in the room to see me spraying it and I would report to the manager. Becasue i wouldn't dare go on about someone's hygeine to their face or in front of them because if i did, I may end up being the one in trouble for being bullying and offensive towards another colleague.

I've looked after several people with a bag as I work in a hospital and as long as they care for it properly it shouldn't smell I also know two people personally with bags and have never noticed them smelling.

Bags don't smell, generally. Poor personal hygiene does.

You have my sympathies, OP. I work with several people who don't wash their hands after being in the loo, and the temptation to just snap "Wash your hands, you dirty skanky bitch" can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, I am a true professional.

It is pretty poor for him to stink of poo all day every single day

That's some serious hygiene issues - definitely not just not washing hands! I reckon notices in toilet - make the font size bigger every week - and industrial strength air freshener. A strong hint is a lot kinder than saying something outright, but it will still be clear what you mean.

Poor personal hygiene, unwashed clothes and bad breath.
I think bad breath is the most likely for poo smell. Is he a smoker? Smoking can give people (dog) poo breath. Very badly :(
Offer round a selection of nice mints and see if you can eliminate breath that way.
(I'm betting it's his breath though)!!

Agree it is more likely to be his breath. Bad breath = sadly common. Severe inability to wipe = unheard of in adult.

Another poo thread, eh?

One would like to think so, xmasbaby, but sadly that is not the case.
I have known at least one adult male with 'skidmark' issues, and someone that doesn't realise that you shouldn't still be wearing the shirt you stained on tuesday on friday was obviously never thought the basics of good presonal hygiene. The skanky motherfuckers.

spiderpig8 - I'm real, not a troll. (as have stated previously on thread).

Have a meeting with my manager tomorrow so will bring the issue up. I just hate the thought of it. Our manager would rather eat his own arm off than face anything head on.

This man is in his 40's, married. He does not smoke but eats a wide variety of foods which are spicy. He has the same breakfast & lunch every day.

I make light of it in a jokey fashion as I've never had to address anything like this before, in any work place.

He eats copious amounts of chewing gum (the aniseed flavour if that makes any difference).

Anyway, for those of you who think IABU, I take that on board. I won't risk losing my job or being accused of bullying, but really need this issue addressed, as I say, members of the public are in our office on a daily basis & it's not pleasant.

I just can't imagine how much poo you would need on your hands for it to smell to other people without the poo actually being visible.

I wonder if he has a pooey parping condition?

If he chews lots of chewing gum maybe he's aware of the problem?

my previous boss had dog poo breath despite eating mints all day

no expert on this, but doesn't the horrible breath thing usually indicate a tooth, mouth or digestion problem that needs dental or medical attention?

I've heard of anal fissures, maybe he has a faulty arse?

I have a bit more sympathy with people who are ill (though they ought to seek treatment) than with people who neglect personal hygene.

One of my old chums had one of those conditions that gives constant, offensive BO. Sadly he had been told about it numerous times, showered a lot, had consulted his doctor, and would explain this to anyone who thought he'd never been told before.

Most managers find it very difficult to have conversations about sensitive personal issues. I found I could do it only as a very formal, businesslike, fact- and evidence-based thing to take the "personal" aspect away.

He could work on his diet (more fruit and fibre?) if he wanted to.

near topic...
I used to work with a man of Moroccan origin, but long-settled and integrated to British way of life. When his mum came over to stay (and presumably cooked for his family), he used to fart more than once a minute. It was so bad I actually checked that I wasn't imagining it. I moved away from my desk. He must have known, but may not have realised how bad it smelled.

My money's on digestion problems causing bad breath. If you ever get a whiff of the breath of someone who is constipated it does smell exactly like shit. Presumably because it's backed up and the smell's coming back up and out the mouth rather than out the other end with what's causing it.

Really????!!!!!

Holy crap!

(yep, pun intended )

You two

I used to share a small work space with a man with three dogs. He stank of wet dog. You have my sympathies.

Spoke to manager today. Apparently as it's my problem, I am to think of how I can address it with colleague :(

Am just glad i'm leaving at Christmas... have put up with it this long, hardly worth souring things weeks before I go.

Not impressed by manager and HR/Personnell lady is off on maternity and no-one is taking over her work.

Thanks to those of you who understood/give advice.

I think it might be breath now too, as I walked into work with him this morning, first thing, and there was no smell of shit. But later on, mid-morning after two mugs of coffee, I got a big waft of it.

Your manager doesn't want to do it. If lots of other people had complained, he'd have to.

OMG your manager is trying to get you to do his job for him!

Sorry but your manager is being unprofessional why do people take the position of managers when they can't manage!