Not AIBU but more a WWYD? Really smelly work colleague.

[peekabooby]

I started a new job in Nov, on my first day I was seated behind the seats at the main desk. I could smell a really foul smell. When my colleague came into work I understood what the smell was.

I work in a small shop with five staff. The manager has said to me wait until its summer so everybody is aware of the smell. It is so bad that I start to feel nauseous after an hour of it but it isn't to bad as I rarely work alongside her.

I was coping OK but yesterday I wore the same pants two days on the bounce and after a couple of hours of sitting on the same chair as she uses (no other chairs so I can't swap them) I actually stunk, well my pants did. I felt really dirty and got really paranoid that customers were thinking she stinks that is how strong the smell was......my coat even stank just from sitting on it for 15 mins on the way home.

The manager, and assistant manager have worked alongside her for six years and nothing has been said to her in all this time. They are all very friendly and socialise out of work but I know the smell of her makes them sick as well because I have heard them.

I know the manager won't say anything to her, I could speak to the area manager but I would feel sly doing and I would be worried that she would find out it was me, she is a bit of a scrapper and not the kind of person I would normally associate with, not that she is a horrible person but she is quite rough.

I really feel like quitting or asking for a transfer to another shop, but my manager is really flexible with the rota and I have a child with SN so have lots of appointments etc.

There was a woman in another office at work who smelt of fish. Really really bad. Could smell it on the chair and everything you have said. The other girls would take the piss out of her all the time, although not to her face.

She was never told but recently got diagnosed with cancer of the womb without a good prognosis. Don't know if the smell was a symptom of it but if someone had mentioned it she may have got herself checked out sooner.

Oh god. I had to talk to one of my staff just yesterday as they smelled of urine, and several people had complained to me about it. It was excruciating.

I just bit the bullet and was rather blunt I'm afraid. I did wait until the end of the day though, so they didn't have to sit there and feel mortified in front of everyone.