Awful issue with smelly colleague

[SageMist]

I have a problem with a smelly work colleague.

Not the 'please buy some deodorant' or 'please wash your clothes' kind of smelly, which I could deal with. More the 'please brush your teeth after smoking a joint' and 'please change your clothes after smoking a joint' kind of smelly.

In addition to this he is constantly invading my personal space. I think that he does this because he can't see me properly, rather than anything more sinister. I would normally deal with this too.

However, on top of this he has quite low self esteem, so anything I might say is bound to upset him (he does have form for this).

The trouble is I am becoming quite distressed by the all pervading smell of dope in the office. I had made up my mind to always tell him when he invades my personal space. However this morning, I actually retched from the smell and couldn't actually speak, though I don't think he noticed.

What can I do? I don't want to upset him, but equally, I don't want this distressing (for me) situation to continue.

Could you say it along the lines of 'be careful coming in smelling of weed. If the boss catches a whiff you could get into trouble / the sack'?

Either what ikiboo said OR actually raise it with your (or his) line manager. If its causing you problems at work, you need to bring it to management attention.

Surely if he's smoking pot every day he's quite doped up / laid back and therefore not doing his job to the best of his ability? Does that mean you're then picking up the slack?

ikiboo I have really considered this, but I am pretty sure that if I approach it the way you suggest he will probably take it badly. He is very touchy about anything he percieves as criticism.

GodisaDj, my guess is that he is self-medicating for a condition that he has. Yes I think his beviour is sometimes affected, but not the ability to do his job. He is not causing me or anyone else extra work. I am pretty sure that either he would get disciplined if I raised this officially with out mutual line manager, or I could get in trouble for making unfounded accusations. Not sure which way it would go actually.

What's your company policy about coming to work under the influence of drink or drugs? Surely there must be a competency issue here if he can barely focus to say hello!

Ultimately cannibis is illegal and if you were to raise it with your line manager, the Company have a duty to protect you under Whistle Blowing laws (him smoking it is a health and safety risk).

Whilst he might think its ok to self medicate, his self esteem issues will likely be made worse by smoking pot. Is he paranoid as well by any chance?

Whilst you may not have proof, the Company have a duty to investigate your concerns, ie a funny smell in the office, and keep the whistleblower (you) protected (you could request to remain anonymous)

If you have an employee handbook, have a look at their whistle blowing policy.

I have not said that 'he can barely focus to say hello'. I guess that you have assumed that from my comment about him not being able to see me properly.

I don't believe that assumption is correct. I think he has a problem with his ability to read facial expressions at a distance. I guess new lenses in his glasses would fix that.

Could you ask him if he is aware of how strongly he smells of weed and you are concerned that he could be reported for use because it's so identifying?

Touchy sounds exactly like the reaction I would get from an ex-flatmate who enjoyed a bit too much weed. My guess is that some of his apparent symptoms which you think he is trying to self medicate for are actually caused by the cannabis. I know (before I am flammed) that it can have medicinal benefits for pain etc, but his tetchyness, paranoia etc are likely to be caused by his use. As it is in a work situation you would not be unreasonable to mention to him that you have noticed it, and if you have others might. Whether he will do anything different is a whole other question!

My DH wants me to raise this officially as well.

Here is my take on this; I have no proof (but am pretty certain) that this smell is from dope, but I could be terribly wrong. Also he would be difficult to replace if he left (because of his very specialist abilities), and despite all this, I like him.

GodisaDj your comment about paranoia has made me really think, it is possible. Certainly, he does have a tendency to misinterpret quite reasonable questions as an attack on his ability.

Have other colleagues noticed? I say this because you may be one of those people who are extra sensitive to smell.

Also, is the problem that his smell makes you feel ill or do you disapprove of him smoking dope? These are two different issues.

I have a sensitive nose, it's a curse I tell you a curse!

Be very careful if you go the official route - just say he has a very strong personal scent that is affecting your ability to do your job as it makes you feel unwell in work. That way you haven't made any accusations that could backfire on you.

What's his line manager doing? If the smell is that strong surely they have noticed?

TheFarSide it is the smell that makes me feel so ill, and I suppose, now I think of it more, the touchy behaviour.

I don't care if he smokes dope, as long as it doesn't affect me. In fact, I have some sympathy with people who use cannabis to alleviate physical symptoms that won't respond to prescription medicine (which is what I think he does).

DH is very black and white about this. I am not. However I am now going to go away and research the side effects of cannabis usage. Hopefully it will help me to work out how to proceed.

Then don't say it's dope. Say that this person smells and it is really affecting you and ask the manager to do some unannounced drop ins to see for themselves and you would like it dealt with but you don't want the person to know it's come from you, as that would be very awkward, which is why you want the manager to experience the smell for themselves and deal with it.

I have asked one person about the smell, but they don't work as closely (!) as I do. This person had noticed a smell, but had no idea what it might be (think he might have lead a sheltered life!).

I am I think going to approach our mutual line-manager about this. I can't run the risk of saying something to X and him reacting badly without my line manage knowing something.

I'm with your DH on this one (and I'm normally all about the 'grey' area )

I know you can't reveal his physical condition but what ever it is, cannabis would not have been prescribed to him in this country.

You don't know if he has exhausted all options of pain relief for the condition (the obvious being medication, but alternatives such pain management therapy, acupuncture etc). I have worked with poorly people before and you'd be surprised how many haven't even been to the GP for a long running condition or ever sort help or advice of the Internet. They then wonder why the Company take a hard approach on them when absence becomes a potential dismissal (and their GP report says nothing about the complaint that they are suffering!)

If he is a regular cannabis user, I could pretty much guarantee that he is addicted to it (but would tell you otherwise); he is likely to be paranoid, have erratic mood swings, be sleepy/chilled and generally not be a nice person at the point of the pot wearing off. He may be suffering depression, have trouble sleeping (so will smoke more to help) and eat an unhealthy diet (the munchies!)

Without knowing how much you know, to me this is black and white: he is doing something which is now affecting you and your work (assuming you feel nauseous and ill when around him). For that reason alone, you should at least raise it with management for them to investigate. He may need help, and a good Company / manager might be just what he needs to get help (referral for Occupational Health etc)

Good luck, I don't envy you, it is a difficult situation to be in.

Hi GodisaDJ, one of the reasons why I haven't felt able to raise an official complaint about drug usage, is because its all supposition on my part. Yes I can smell it, yes he has mood swings, but I could be wrong, I have no tangiable evidence.

Anyway, I have talked to our line manager but I have not made an 'official' complaint about drug usage. I have been listened to and things are happening, hopefully the situation will improve. And if it doesn't then I am happy that I can escalate things further. Interestingly our line manager didn't completely agree with my suppositions, he thinks that there may be another explanation.

Thank you all for your assistance, it really has helped me to work out what I want to achieve and how to make that happen.

Glad the situation is moving forward.

Report back (or pm me) with any updates

Stinks of it all day? Does he eat a lot of pringles at his desk too?

Is it possible he uses cannabis because he has problems with his eyesight?
(glaucoma?) I have heard that it is used by people with quite serious eye conditions as they find it helpful, as do people with MS.