Advice re tackling a personal issue

[Bassetlover]

I manage a woman who recently started working for us and unforunately has very bad body odour. A number of people have complained and I need to address it with her. Does anyone have any advice on how I tackle this in a firm but kind way?

Anyone?

Maybe go via HR for advice? Incase it leads to a complaint or something.

Could be many reasons:

• could have a medical condition (e.g. I've got a skin condition and I can't use aluminium in deodorants as my lymphnodes in my pits swell up, so they are abit rubbish), it makes me feel really conscious though which makes me shower ALOT
• genuinely might not realise
• might have issues at home
• it might be a musky scent on her clothes rather than her (damp drying conditions) - is her hair greasy or anything
• do they exercise on their way to work / way home etc.

you could do some digging informally at first e.g. say you are looking for a new perfume/body wash for someone for xmas, and be like what ones do u like, or something like that just to see if she makes any comments about allergies or anything. Say you wanna join and gym ask if they do anything I dunno. Just to try and see if anything there...
if nothing really clear as to why then HR it is.

I had to do this once and I tried to be (reasonably) direct, but tactful. As with pp I approached it in the style of trying to identify an underlying reason. It was a good ten years ago but I think I started along the lines of 'This isn't an easy thing to say, but some people have commented that you don't always smell as fresh as you might, and I wondered if anything was wrong.'

Obviously, the colleague wasn't exactly happy but there was an underlying reason and we discussed strategies he might use to address this. There were no more comments afterwards and he's still working in the same department 10 years on.

Thanks everyone I like the I wondered if anything's wrong approach.

My advice: have HR with you to avoid any accusation of bullying

I agree with this - speak to HR first and get them to agree how you should approach it

oh god! This happened to me (in fact ArblemarchTFruitbat could've been my boss haha) when i started my job but I was the one with BO (i don't have a sense of smell). My boss sent me an email being really nice to me and then mentioning i smelt, it was utterly mortifying and i cried. Not sure what advice i would give, there is no way around it i don't think as it's a very personal issue. I was mortified.

Geogaddi
so sorry you had to go through that, funnily enough since I had Covid earlier this year I have no sense of smell either and I'm paranoid that I smell.
Did you feel glad that someone told you though, rather than just whispering behind your back?

God that’s awful to do it by email, much better face to face.

Def worth talking to HR first.

I used to work somewhere where we had a specific policy about it. I’m guessing they had a major issue in the past.

I’d go with direct but honest and ask if there is anything wrong.

When I've had to tackle this in the past I've found it's best to be direct and clear. It's an uncomfortable issue to have to raise and besting around the bush just makes it harder and it then takes twice as long. I used to keep a few packs with deodorant, shower gel, soap and toothpaste in if I had reason to think someone might be struggling to meet their needs.

Beating not besting

I don't agree with the poster who suggested telling them people have commented. That's awful to feel everyone has been talking about you. Just tell them they may need to use deodorant that you have some if they need it. Not a big deal not embarrassing. It's respectful. If the person won't acknowledge it then definitely HR.

i was quite upset and paranoid, mostly because i had worked as a waitress before so lots of running around. I asked my old colleagues and they said i had never smelt. I think it must've been a top i bought from a charity shop. I threw it away made sure i changed tops every day and no one said anything again.

Ask A Manager has a lot of advice on this topic, some of her responses may be helpful.

Do t beat around the bush asking about grooming products or the gym etc. Be direct and sensitive about it. I had worked with a few smelly folk before and it isn’t pleasant.

Just tell them they may need to use deodorant that you have some if they need it.

Putting it bluntly, thorough washing and a clean top each day is probably more important than deodorant. Putting deodorant on top of stale sweat won't solve the problem.

Thanks all