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Work colleagues body odour

6 replies

Coffeeaddict201 · 11/03/2020 13:22

Hi all

I work in a patient care environment and there are at least 3 colleagues who must be suffering with gum disease etc. One lady I work very closely with and I’m finding it hard to cope because she talks right in my face and spits when she talks... her breath will fill the room however she is totally oblivious to the smell. If you know you have bad breath you would surely keep a distance wouldn’t you?

Then another one who’s breathe stinks and her teeth are covered in plaque... she’s also told me she only baths once a week... she actually smells... like her body odour is awful. It’s like greasy hair smell, bo and bad breath filling the air around her.

My question is do these people know that they smell and just don’t care? With the smelly breath I understand some people can’t do anything about that but what about the ones who just don’t wash. They smell a whole room out and the managers aren’t saying anything. I actually don’t really care about bo much but the smell of someone’s filthy teeth make me want to actually be sick.

Does anyone have any tips or do other people have colleagues like this?

Thank you

OP posts:
JillMcAdams · 11/03/2020 13:36

I like to avoid confrontation whenever possible, so I would probably try to mention it to my superior. An anonymous tip would be even better.

If you don't feel that's an option, you may want to try to politely ask them to back up/give you some space. You could always say you're sick and don't want to get them sick.

Hope this helps!

georgialondon · 11/03/2020 13:53

You need to tell HR

Coffeeaddict201 · 11/03/2020 15:12

I feel really bad for writing about it.. I don’t mean to be nasty but im really struggling with the smell and the close up talking. I try to back away and the woman who spits, it goes all over my arms and I have to wash them a lot as I don’t want her spit on me.

OP posts:
Coffeeaddict201 · 11/03/2020 15:13

It’s one of those really awkward situations I don’t think there’s much I can do without causing offence

OP posts:
Wildboar · 11/03/2020 21:06

Definitely go to HR, they will be able to have a polite word.

Hellodotdotdot · 11/03/2020 21:07

Wow. I have an ad for mouthwash

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