woman at work keeps farting

[poppytea]

I know this might sound stupid but the smell is horrific, like egg, and it's really putting me off being in the office especially when eating. It's a small windowless room and it is very smelly as obviously there's nowhere for smell to go.

AIBU to pass this up OR will I just be laughed at?

[Delphine31]

I quite agree that MN cannot diagnose this lady! But even if it is a medical condition I still feel that the problem should be resolved somehow.

I have ulcerative colitis. I'm lucky in that when I'm flaring food goes through me so fast it doesn't have the chance to fester and smell! My embarrassing symptom is the terrible squeaky noises my stomach makes inside when I'm flaring and the dashing to the loo frequently the working day. I have taken the approach to let my immediate colleagues know about my colitis so that they don't think I'm rude if I leave a meeting for five minutes or so that we can joke about stomach noises rather than embarrassed silence. I appreciate though that I am a particularly frank person and many would be mortified to discuss their UC with others.

If my UC does start causing wind problems I would be proactive and take measures to reduce the impact on my colleagues! I would be the one speaking to the boss and saying that ventilation needs improving and could they install an automatic air freshener of some sort. On bad days I would work at home, but obviously this option is not available to everyone.

Aside from all this, working in a windowless office without ventilation must be pretty miserable and probably not conducive to work productivity!

[Aeroflotgirl]

Oh no, if it carries on talk to your line manager about it to see how it can be addressed (air con, telling her to visit the Dr), that would make me feel

[BrendaBlackhead]

I agree with those who say that no one should have to work with someone like this. What if the OP were pregnant or had a sensitive stomach issue - now who would trump (ahem) who?

Let's say the colleague does have a dreadful disorder, then adjustments should be made so that the person is allocated an office with a window or near the lavatory.

[Gawjushun]

Blanklook -- a low carb diet might not be the best idea. My mum has chrohns and gluten makes no difference, but all that dairy and meat would make her terribly sick! Certain veggies can also cause bloating and wind. Everyone has different triggers.

[AddToBasket]

Yeah, there really isn't any point in trying to tackle someone else's diet - that's astep to far and not your domain. The air you work in: that's definitely your domain and you absolutely should expect to be in fresh air.

Tbh, I am surprised there are people on this thread who think that isn't the case.

[MarjorieMelon]

If it does turn out to be due to a medical problem there will be very little that the poor woman can do. Buy a air freshner and hope that that solves the problem.

[Electriclaundryland]

Ds has ulcerative colitis. His farts are particularly poisonous before a flare up. During not so bad as he won't risk a fart for fear of sharting.

Do you think she farts because she won't poo in the work's loo? Maybe she's holding a poo all day.

[Eastwickwitch]

Poor woman, she must be mortified.
If you had a quiet word with her she might feel she can talk to you about any health problems. If she has inflammatory bowel disease or a colostomy there's probably not much she can do about it.
Awful for you, but even worse for her.

[maddy68]

I have terrible ibs. Genuinely don't know when a farts coming and definitely not enough time to go to the toilet. It's so shameful. I have lots of medical intervention

[Matildathecat]

Here's a cheap and hopefully cheap suggestion: keep a big pot of fresh Basil on your desk. The smell is very refreshing and supposedly keeps you alert and sprightly. Every time she drops one you can bury your nose in the basil and declare that the 'stuffy' atmosphere is making you feel sluggish. then circulate vomit bags and mention the possibility of a body under the floorboards

Seriously,the basil tip is true and you need your line manager to do his or her job and manage this situation.

[LadyStinky]

In my early pregnancy I found that the stench of my DH's farts were unbearable (normally pretty bad, but I lost all tolerance!)
I've bought him a pair of flatulance underpants - and they actually work! I make him wear them in bed, sadly there's no noise cancelling function.
Maybe a suggestion for secret Santa, or leave this web page opened on her PC. Not very subtle, I know, but worth a go.
www.firebox.com/product/6437/Flatulence-Underwear

[Stupidhead]

I have mental IBS and lactose intolerance and can control them. I do however pump away like a chuffing steam engine when there's the all clear.

I was at work once and complained about the smell of the drains honking, opened the doors to let air through and made OTT gagging noises. I then realised my colleague had gone bright red. It was her.

[ClawHandsIfYouBelieveInFreaks]

LadY your username plus others on this thread are making me VERY suspicious of fart trolls.

[fortifiedwithtea]

When I was young with a very hot temper a lad in another department had type 1 diabetes (insulin dependant). He would sit in the staff room at lunchtime and drop the most horrendous farts whilst I was eating. I can to my shame remember going ape shit and throwing my sandwich in the bin on more than one occasion.

It wasn't until my DF became type 2 diabetic in old age that I realised just how intolerant I had been

[pauline6703]

What does she say when you comment?
I assume you have commented.
If not why not??
YANBU to expect fresh air in your workplace she IBU to fart.

[LadyStinky]

claw ha ha Maybe I'm just drawn to this thread cos of my name!

[ILovePud]

Tonight I've heard mention of poo trolls and fart trolls, are these parts of MN folklore, like lemon drizzle, that I don't really understand?

[BMW6]

Why not get one of those air fresheners that respond to movement to release a burst of scent? Put it on your desk and activate every so often.

[cerealqueen]

You can buy fart absorbing cushions too

here

I've been tempted to buy one for somebody!

[LapsedTwentysomething]

Oh my god. Can you imagine the rank was of the stuffing of a used fart absorbing cushion?

[RC1234]

Suggest a course of Actively probiotic yoghurt drinks (always sorts me out). Yakult is even more effective but I don't like the taste so much. It only takes a few days and I am back to my usual fragrant self.

[RC1234]

Actimel

[handcream]

Many years ago a manager of one of the service teams stank of BO. It was horrible, all his suits were stained, he was middle aged, married and eventually after some not pleasant comments from people his manager had to speak to him about it. We were expected to see clients on a regular basis.

I don't know what was said but it didn't make a bit of difference. He just didn't care...

[Gabbyandco]

I have a FB friend (aquintance) who posts on facebook regularly since her partner left her with 4 children. She started out earlier last year with health problems. She has had many admissions to hospitals and operations on her bowels. It seems she was being treated for colon cancer.

This week she has been sacked from her job because she has a colostomy bag fitted and her work colleagues complained about the smell. My FB friend is a single mum who has always done her very best for her children. She is now an emotional wreck. So sad :(