Should I recommend this ex-colleague?

[jetadore]

Long time lurker first time poster here.

I've just given notice at work and am leaving on very good terms with employer and colleagues, having enjoyed my time here and been successful. Company is now looking to recruit my replacement. They've asked me if I know anyone who would be a potential candidate.

Now, I do know a person from somewhere I worked previously who is looking for work atm and would be ideal for the role in terms of competence and experience. However, this person, let's call him Dave, had the worst BO of anyone I've ever encountered. Sitting next to him in a meeting was an experience never to be repeated. I was too spineless didn't know him well enough to find out if it was a case of poor standards of personal hygiene or some unfortunate medical condition, but the fact is he stank on a regular basis.

I have a fairly high boak threshold so could deal with it but other people did complain about him. This company is a small team of 6 in a cramped open plan office and, if Dave still smells like the Dave I remember, he'd definitely stink the place out. I know it wouldn't go over well at all here.

He's otherwise a nice person and would be a good fit, so ordinarily I'd be happy to do him a favour, but then again I don't really want to inflict his odour on my soon to be ex-colleagues and them to curse me for the rest of their days!
As I see it these are my options,

Option 1: "the cowards way out" say nothing to no one - don't mention Dave to the company, don't mention the job to Dave.

Option 2: "I'm sorry, Dave". Suggest Dave for the job, but forewarn about the BO. Problem with this is, I'm confident this will result in him not getting the job.

Option 3: "Speak no evil". Recommend Dave apply for the job, and don't say anything negative to the company. Problem is there's a good chance he'll get the job if I vouch for him (plus, as I said, he fits the role really well so would stand a very good chance even without that) and everyone will hate me and send bad karma my way.

Option 4: "Full disclosure". Tell Dave about the job but also about my concerns, seek assurances that he pongs no longer. Tell company how good he is/bad he smells and about his assurances. Let the chips fall where they may. This seems the grown up thing to do but also mega awkward and I'm cringing just thinking about it!

I'm currently vacillating between options 1&4. I'm open to other suggestions. I've no way to finding out if he's been "cured" and the problem's probably not going to be apparent at interview.

I still occasionally see/hear from Dave, and expect I will do the same with people after I leave this place. I'm slightly more fond of the folks from this workplace but Dave's ok too and last time I saw him I did say I'd let him know if any job opportunities came up. I'm likely to cross paths with all of these people in future and my loyalties are more or less equally divided. What should I do?

Option 1

HTH

Modified 4 - Tell Dave about the job and emphasise the need for a daily fresh shirt and good deodorant as the office is cramped and can pong a bit on warm days. Tell firm about Dave being suitable for the job but don't mention his personal hygiene.

I would suggest they call Dave in for an interview in which case, they would notice the issue themselves?
Unless you think he is well aware and would wash for the interview and be stinky once offered the role?

Oh god, option 1, definitely

How close are you to Dave and how sensitive is he? I'd aim for option 4 if you're close enough and he's thick skinned enough for it to be said. All depends on how he is though.

Option 3: Recommend Dave, and if he gets the job and his lack of personal hygiene is ever mentioned to you, act surprised and claim there was never a problem when you worked together before. Hope that one of Dave's new colleagues will have a quiet word.

@NotCornflakes Omg, that's it!! It's so obvious now, cannot believe that didn't occur to me!

What @NotCornflakes said

What @Beeziekn33ze said.

What @BertyFlanter said

What @Beeziekn33ze said.

What nocornflakes said. My roomies at university had very bad BO. I was reluctant to house share with her 2 years later when we moved to London. Surprisingly her personal hygiene had improved and she didn't smell. Maybe someone had a word.

Option 4
this seems like the grown up thing to do

Send a text or email perhaps? He may or may not know he has an odour problem. Some people have hyperhydrosis and / or particularly smelly sweat - the latter is also a medical condition, can’t remember the name. Or he could be a minger. It’s the respectful thing to do all round for both him and prospective employer.

Thanks for all the suggestions but even though confronting this issue with Dave is probably the right thing to do (and if someone asked me for advice in this situation what I would tell them to do), my debilitating fear of awkwardness would probably result in me pulling a muscle from cringing so hard. Even if I did it by txt, and even tho Dave is quite confident (bordering on arrogant) so wouldn't take it too hard.

I think feigning ignorance is the way forward. Especially if by chance he's sorted himself out in the intervening time (fingers crossed!).

So why ask?

Woman up and do the right thing.