To make a formal complaint about colleague?

[orangeju1ce]

I have a colleague whose hygiene is absolutely atrocious. The same clothes are worn for up to three weeks at a time and the smell is horrendous. To make matters worse he has been wearing a coat(!!!) to walk to work in this heatwave which is only making things worse.

He has been like this for as long as I can remember but with the current weather it's becoming unbearable. His chair is stained black where he doesn't wash his clothes and his mouse and keyboard are covered with some kind of residue (dead skin I would assume).

It's not just me who has noticed- our manager has spoken to him several times however hasn't dealt with it directly and just said things like "are you taking care of yourself", so no improvement is ever made.

I am now at the point where I am considering making a formal complaint, myself and others are having to keep moving desks as it's unbearable- and I don't see it ever being dealt with informally.

Any advice please???

I didn't see it as a generalisation but as a possibility! SOME people with Aspergers/Autistic tendencies have hygiene issues, some don't. But those that do ( including my son) aren't aware of the need/implications- it simply doesn't fall within his zone of concern! He is learning social skills but he is still working on this one. Next, haircuts!!

I feel your pain op I really do.

I used to work with a woman who had the worst teeth I've ever seen. Medieval scale, just awful. Her mouth was a tragedy of bloody gums, decaying teeth and plaque. You could smell her as soon as she walked in the office. Board meetings were fun - people used to watch when she went in to the room then dash to get a seat as far away as possible.

Totally unacceptable.

Maybe your formal complaint, and then how your manager handles it, is the only way he's going to be able to get the attention he needs from e.g. social services.

Loving the idea that social services might have the resources to pop round and sort out someone who manages to function perfectly well but has BO!

Well I've heard they're sat there bored, lakie

I think a plain speaking but kind tone is exactly the right approach.

All the hinting and shuffling around can be totally missed by someone not aware/ sensitive to social cues, and quite frankly, these types of behaviours slide into bullying and victimisation very easily.

I was waiting for that to come up. People on the spectrum are just as likely to go the other way and wash daily to avoid social faux pas.

Just as likely though would work out to be around 50-50, right?

My DS has HFA (as do I and his DSis) his hygiene used to be appalling. It took several people speaking to him for him to understand that it's not pleasant to be around an unwashed person because it's not something he ever notices about others. It was the intimacy aspect that finally got it through to him, that strangers would be able to smell his body. That upset him and he began showering every day. But getting through to him is like chipping away at a block of marble. If it hadn't happened he'd still be walking around like Pigpen.

Had an identical colleague to this numerous of us made complaints about him action was taken by management he bought new shirts, never washed never washed his clothes. Eventually they found a way to manage him out the job

observation: hmm they could be right about asd, other issue with people I know is that either they are really ocd about tidiness & minimalism or they hoard, so its either fanatic about being clean or it seems needing to be reminded they need to wash. (& when I say I know think very close family members not generalization, nor criticism) could be dead mother took care of everything & when she died he was lost- I think HR needs someone sympathetic who has a bit of insight into mental health/autism to have a deep non-judgemental conversation with him & maybe get him some help. I wonder what his home is like? he obviously does an ok job with work so perhaps a little consideration from work is in order - I think its sad.

mumsastudent Why do you keep on about him having a dead mother?

Being unclean isn't a value judgement - some of you sound very unfeeling.
It's just hygiene and some people need a prod - but to call him "this filthy individual" etc. isn't on.
Sounds like the manager was over controlling and bullying. A good manager would have a word and offer support. When it happened in our office the MD took the lad out and bought him new shirts- it turned out this pay-packet was used to support his siblings and he only had one that he hand washed each night and put in the airing cupboard.
People have all kinds of shit going on and sometimes they need support not judgement or passive aggressive comments.

As for laughing at someone who died - I mean REALLY????

He has gone home, he had annual leave booked this afternoon. However I don't know if this was in reaction to the conversation about his hygiene or whether it was booked prior. He does generally seem to have a rather small collection of clothes which probably doesn't help.

We are in one of the hottest parts of the UK unfortunately so yes if he isn't a bit cleaner by tomorrow it will be insufferable. Part of the problem is he walks to work (and around town at lunchtime) In a bloody coat, so is drenched in sweat before the day has even started.

It's also perhaps worth mentioning that the really sensitive/ soft approach has been tried numerous times in the past, to no avail.

OP, as the weather is so boiling, hasn't anyone asked if why he's wearing a coat to work?

Asked him not asked if. ^^ Sorry.

@InsomniacAnonymous yes, a couple of weeks ago. He said he didn't know and then came in the next day without the coat and with a different, short sleeved shirt on.

After that it was back to business as usual. It is quite baffling to be honest.

He definitely struggles to understand normal behaviour so I think clear statements on what is expected daily are the only way to go. I expect they were said as kindly as possible.

What is he like at his job?

Some people are scruffy.
I get jumped on because I wash everything.
Anything that's been worn, even for a few hours is washed.
I can't stand bad hygiene.
I'm glad it's been tackled op.
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

I was about to say does he have any clue about self care when I saw your update. I worked with someone who was a good friend as well, they moved into a place of their own and suddenly personal hygiene issues began. It turned out they had never been taught how to was clothes and hang them out straight away etc so the musty smell was from clean clothes not dried and aired. Once explained the issue stopped

Glad that something appears to have been done about it, there must be some sort of issue with his mental health if he is walking around with a coat on, surely?

We had a similar situation in an office I worked in many years ago, very small office and a lovely lady joined, she really was so nice but my goodness, did she smell! For no discernible reason. There was an awful row when the admin manager and the woman she was PA to had to thrash out just who was responsible for telling her.

I only hope this man starts to make an effort and things become more bearable in the office for you.

I've only read the OP. Please speak to H.R. about this colleague.

People with thyroid troubles (can’t remember if over or under active) can feel cold despite hot weather. Untreated it can also lead to mental health issues. Not that it helps OP just something worth considering. Hopefully the word management had will affect some positive change.

He is ok at his job. I feel a bit sorry for him as he works in a hyper specific role and to be honest there really hasn't been enough work for him for quite a while, although he never mentions this is is obvious.

OK. This is how it goes.

HR advises the manager to say the following:

John, can we have a private work?
I have noticed that you are a bit smelly and have been wearing your coat to work in this heat.
I'm a bit worried about you and whether every thing is ok at home - heating/hw/accommodation
You do a great job but is anyone looking after you?
I have noticed infrequent changes of clothes and BO
What's your personal hygiene laundry rputine?
This is mine - explain.

Ask if theres anything further you can help with
Offer EAP if you have it and/or OHP because you care and want to help.
Arrange to meet to offer further support in 7-10 days.
If no improvement - look John I need you to do something about this and I am now referring you to OHP
OHP recommendationsadjustments
If no improvement informal warning re code of conduct/prof boundaries
If no improvement 1st written
If no improvement 2nd written
If no improvement dismissal hearing.
All needs careful documenting.
Never know it to go beyond formal OHP although always need reminders.
Probabky covered by EA 2010 if relates to MH.

This annoys me. People making excuses for other people's antisocial behaviours. If you have worked with someone with atrocious personal hygiene issues in the height of summer youll know how horrendous it is and how little sympathy remains when you've tried to be tolerant and understanding and tried the softly softly approach. It gets to the point you just want to shout at them "you fucking stink sort it out you absolute fucking disgusting pig!" Some people are just gross and don't give a shit about washing them or their clothes. The man I worked with I'm sure used to let his cats pee on his washing - we all noticed all politely suggested he sort his washing before the cats get the chance to so that but no... more cat piss....

I really feel for you OP