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I have since heard of a few people who have a condition, which I think can be helped by avoiding certain foods, that makes them smell bad even when they are clean.
Very true. A hit to the head can cause the olfactory nerve to sever and that resuts in permanent loss of smell.
I lost all smell and taste after using Zicam for a cold. The zinc spray fried my smell and taste sensors. It has taken me over 10 years to regain partial smell and taste.
When I worked in a cubical situation, I told all of my co-workers to lease let me know if anything smelled wrong around me. And, yes, I was told several times (after Indian or Thai lunches)
This would be my approach as well. "John, we love you. You're a great guy and an even better colleague; however, please take this as construction criticism.......you are emitting a terrible body odor every day that nearly everyone notices, which makes it difficult for people close to you to concentrate and do their work. Please take the deodorant we've provided you here and use it daily. Thanks for understanding! Signed, everyone."
Personally, I think that's awful. If I smelled bad, I would NOT want people to tell me because I'm already showering daily, wearing deodorant, brushing my teeth, chewing gum, etc. You need to just accept that some people stink and try to stay a comfortable distance away from them or leave it to management to handle.
If all else fails, just walk up to him and say "Hey <insert his name here>, how's it going" as you slap a sticky air freshener onto his back. This could work very well if several people did it, but make sure it's the same scent, otherwise it could get really weird smelling.
I had a smelly coworker who did not use deodorant. There was a suggestion box, so we put in there that he stunk and he should wear deodorant. After that he seem to be less smelly. Personally, just leave a type written note on his chair without anyone seeing you leave it. Or tell your HR person and let them handle it.
when I was very young, a coworker gently told me I needed to use deodorant (she said, "You smell loud!")
while it was embarrassing, it was a good thing, and I've smelled better ever since. So thanks to her!
Personally, I think that's awful. If I smelled bad, I would NOT want people to tell me because I'm already showering daily, wearing deodorant, brushing my teeth, chewing gum, etc. You need to just accept that some people stink and try to stay a comfortable distance away from them or leave it to management to handle.
I'm the exact polar opposite. If I have anything going on....booger hanging out of my nose, toothpaste on my beard, ketchup stain on my shirt.......I want someone to please tell me so I can fix it and not walk around clueless like that until I happen to check a mirror.
I think it would be appropriate for a co-worker, who he knows and gets along with well, to pull him aside and just tell him gently. Something like this..." Hey Bob, could I speak to you about something in private? (lead him to an area where you won't be overheard) This is awkward Bob, but I know if it was me, I'd want to know. Sometimes when I'm working very near to you, your breath (or whatever it is) kind be a little hard to take. I don't know if it's something in your diet or something that you could take care of, but I thought you might not be aware of it. You're such a great guy to work with, and something like this can just be really hard to tell a person." Then wait for his reply.
Undoubtedly he will be embarrassed, but it's better than having everyone in the office talking behind his back, and then have him finding out he's an office joke or a big topic of critical conversations.
Or you could do like I did to my ex-husband and say "Hey Frank, your breath could knock a buzzard off a shyte wagon!"
We have a coworker who let's just say has a distinct aroma.
1) He is a very very nice guy. late 50's
2) great coworker always willing to help and very knowledgeable .
3) no one wants him to get into trouble. we like him
4) lol, I only work with him once a week so I just hold my nose.
any suggestions to gently address the problem.
TIA
If everybody in the work environment notices this, then somebody close to him he trusts/respects (maybe you?) should gently bring it up. Nobody wants their co workers thinking of them that way, as in holding their nose when they are around.
I worked with a single guy in his late 30's with chronic very bad breath years ago. We mostly all liked him, and he did a good job, but he ate poorly, smoked heavily, and likely had marginal mouth hygiene (his teeth were a mess, even at his age). A couple of folks secretly called him "Halitosis Hal" behind his back.
Too add to it, he was a "close talker" when he spoke to you.
After one too many "close encounters" with him, I privately and gently mentioned it, but as if was only coming from me personally.
There was a clear change in his hygeine attempts after that, and he did not lean in to speak to people either, especially to the women in the office. I think my comments worked to some degree. YMMV.
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