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I would really appreciate some advice on how a person should cope or deal with a very stinky smelly coworker.
I have to work with this smelly coworker several days out of the week (he is not there every day) and when he is there, the sour stench makes me feel very nauseous. I try my best to avoid being around him, but sometimes even if I walk through an area where he has recently been, the smell is still lingering there and it makes me gag. When I must stand near him, I hold my breath as long as I can and I keep my mouth closed, but it is still awful.
I am a "newbie", I just recently began working with this organization, so I am unsure as to whether it would be appropriate to speak to my boss or another coworker about the problem. As the newest employee I don't want to make some kind of impression like I am a squeaky wheel who complains a lot.
This may be a situation that you let HR take care of... we have a Team Member Handbook that points out that everyone must be presentable as far as how we dressed and personal hygiene.
Avoid saying something to them yourself as that never ends well... So get HR involved and if you really don't have an HR team then let your supervisor know. We had dealt with a similar situation here and HR got involved with that individual and they've since cleaned up their appearance and their stink.
deal with a very stinky smelly coworker ... Any advice or suggestions?
Leave an almost-empty can of deodorant, wiped clean of fingerprints, on his desk!
Do it on a day that he's not there, so everyone can see it. Improves morale!
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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It's the responsibility of the supervisor/manager to create and maintain a productive, safe and pleasant work environment. Whether it's an objectionable perfume/cologne or someone with bad BO they should deal with it. You should bring it to the attention of your superiors. I had to deal with that once with multiple complaints about a woman and it was one of the more difficult things I ever had to do, worse than firing people, but I got through it and eventually resolved the problem.
It's the responsibility of the supervisor/manager to create and maintain a productive, safe and pleasant work environment. Whether it's an objectionable perfume/cologne or someone with bad BO they should deal with it. You should bring it to the attention of your superiors. I had to deal with that once with multiple complaints about a woman and it was one of the more difficult things I ever had to do, worse than firing people, but I got through it and eventually resolved the problem.
I am sure the supervisor and coworkers are aware of the problem. Would it be wise for the new person to create a problem?
Also agree with the HR advice, thats what theyre there for. Is it their BO or something else? I had an old coworker who was a functional alcoholic, he always stunk like he was sweating out the toxins.
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