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Original poster

My colleague smells.... can I tell him?

20 replies

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 22:45

He is a nice man, very intelligent, but I dont think he washes his clothes or himself very often. His hair is often greasy. He wears big jumpers which I dont think are very clean. He is also a smoker and often smells of fags masked by peppermints. I have to open the window after he has been in my office. I think he would be upset if I told him, but someone should, shouldnt they? His manager is not the sort of person who you could go to and who would take this seriously, and he is based in a different building. WWYD?

OP posts:

daftpunk · 04/02/2009 22:46

i couldn't do it tbh....i'd just keep the windows open.

Hassled · 04/02/2009 22:47

I'd pass the buck completely to the manager. He's paid more than you are just to deal with shit like this.

SenoraPostrophe · 04/02/2009 22:48

is it interfering with your work? if not, don't tell him. he probably knows anyway (and probably doesn't mind about the fags/mint smell)

Original poster

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 22:59

Not interfering with work, just unpleasant. Should I grin and bear it as its not my business? It is horrid tho.

OP posts:

Ivykaty44 · 04/02/2009 23:01

Go to HR and see what they will do, dont do it yourself though as it could cause issues that you then can't resolve.

davidbowiescodpiece · 04/02/2009 23:01

Yes, you have to take this to a manager. I had to work with someone like this and it was horrible. It is the managers job in this instance to have a quiet word.

MaryBSnowing · 04/02/2009 23:03

I would rather someone told me than take it to my manager. Especially as the manager sounds like someone who wouldn't handle it very well.

Original poster

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 23:03

Hmm, good idea. Would rather not tackle myself but not sure if anyone else will. I suppose they would have to if there have been complaints (ie from me!)

My other colleague wore the same blouse to work THREE days in a row - she doesnt smell tho.

OP posts:

ConnorTraceptive · 04/02/2009 23:04

Definately the managers job. I remember working with a guy who was a bit smelly and the manager did have a word with him.

Original poster

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 23:04

Did it do any good?

OP posts:

Ivykaty44 · 04/02/2009 23:06

I wear the same top some weeks - If I put a load of washing in the machine when I get in from work (I take my work cloths of and bung them in aswell to make up the load, then pop in the tumble dryer later and wear again the next day!

I never thought people would think I hadn't washed the top inbetween wearing..... ahhh

MrsMerryHenry · 04/02/2009 23:07

Oh, you poor thing! I can smell reeky fag body stench a mile off.

Why don't you open the window when he walks in, then see if he complains? If he does, just take him aside and gently explain...I know it's hard, but he's probably unaware of how pongy he is and may thank you!

If he doesn't ask on the other hand...well you're on your own.

nancy75 · 04/02/2009 23:07

people can take this kind of thing very badly (not surprising) i have had to deal with tealking to people about personal hygene issues in the past and although men generally take it better than women you never know. i would definately bring this up with the manager/ hr and then leave it to them.

ConnorTraceptive · 04/02/2009 23:08

Yes it did thankfully!

Original poster

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 23:11

I was thinking maybe I could make a joke comment like "blimey how many packets of fags have you just smoked" or something like that? Now I write it down it sounds rubbish tho.

OP posts:

Original poster

janmoomoo · 04/02/2009 23:17

Ivykaty - maybe she had done that (twice!) Sorry if I have ruined your laundry routine!!

OP posts:

ConnorTraceptive · 04/02/2009 23:19

TBH I think at best he'd just eat more mints! I think it needs to be a proper talk from someone

Ivykaty44 · 04/02/2009 23:24

OOO I shall have to make sure when I strip in the kitchen that I dont rewear the cloths the next day - I dont want people thinking thenselves into me being smelly, when im not....I shower at least once a day and sometimes twice and hair is washed every day so know I am clean

naturopath · 05/02/2009 20:25

this happened with a colleague of mine- eventually his roommate told him, and, while it was embarrasing, the situation totally improved!

rookiemater · 05/02/2009 20:51

Email the manager. Regardless of how you think he will handle it thats what he or she is paid for. You could maybe say that you don't want your name to be mentioned to be on the safe side. Feel sorry for you, hideous sitting near someone who smells.

As an aside there was someone in my old office with this problem and when their line manager spoke to them turns out they had got job recently and literally could not afford to buy changes of clothing for each day. He was a big chap and sweated a lot leading to the problem. It was such a shame because other than being a bit stinky he was a very nice bloke. I think they managed to give him some of his salary early so he could buy some more clothes and made sure they were washed more frequently.

I rewear some clothes but leave it for at least 2 days so people would either have a) forgotten I wore them or b) assumed that I had washed them in between.

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