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Twinkie
LIF Infant
Member since 4/07 61 total posts
Name:
Been Awhile..
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Is there a polite way to say...
to a co-worker she smells?
She is a very nice person but she smells very musty like mildewy..and she smokes ALOT! There are 3 of us in the office and it is a small office but everytime she leaves we spray down the office with lysol.... We dont want to hurt her feelings but  ...
what do you do?
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Posted 10/18/07 11:09 AM  |
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Phyl
R.I.P. Sweet Mia ♥
Member since 5/06 28918 total posts
Name:
The Mystical Azzhorse! ™
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
I guess screaming out...What REEKS?! is out
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:11 AM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
ask hr to handle it? it seems a tad more discreet that way.
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:13 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Nope, don't think there is. Chances are she's aware of it and maybe there's nothing she can do...?
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:13 AM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
My mom had to deal with this situation at her old job. The woman she worked with (who was like 27 yrs old and of course the sweetest woman ever) had an incredible odor... she said it was B.O.-like but worse. My mom is too nice to say something, but her boss made her b/c it was ridiculous. She had to sit her down and tell her and the woman cried b/c she had no idea (how, i dont know!)... but I think she actually went to the doctor and got treated for it.
ETA: Your situation is different though b/c it seems like it's her clothes that smell of smoke/mildew?
Message edited 10/18/2007 11:16:51 AM.
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:14 AM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
We have a problem with stink employees every year when the nice weather approaches.
HR came up with a form email that gets sent every April stating to please be aware we work in close quarters and good hygiene is a must.
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:18 AM |
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Maathy317
Grammie's Little Man
Member since 2/06 3235 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Posted by Phyl
I guess screaming out...What REEKS?! is out
You kill me!
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:20 AM |
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Twinkie
LIF Infant
Member since 4/07 61 total posts
Name:
Been Awhile..
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Posted by CaMacho
My mom had to deal with this situation at her old job. The woman she worked with (who was like 27 yrs old and of course the sweetest woman ever) had an incredible odor... she said it was B.O.-like but worse. My mom is too nice to say something, but her boss made her b/c it was ridiculous. She had to sit her down and tell her and the woman cried b/c she had no idea (how, i dont know!)... but I think she actually went to the doctor and got treated for it.
ETA: Your situation is different though b/c it seems like it's her clothes that smell of smoke/mildew?
She lives in a basement apartment. Which I think makes the musty smell...
Do u think the best bet is to go with HR?
You would think she would realize the Lysol smell in the air when ever she re-enters the office.
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| Posted 10/18/07 11:50 AM |
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Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!
Member since 7/06 8703 total posts
Name:
STBHC
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
I had a coworker that smelled like garlic, onions and an ashtray. *I just vomitted a lil in my mouth remembering the smell*
I told him "you f'n smell, do you have a bath at your home?" The next day he just smelled like an ashtray. 
Then again, I worked in a scrap metal yard so we lacked the ability to be gentle. We were surrounded by a bunch of truck drivers where every other word was f**k, sh!t or some other endearing term. 
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| Posted 10/18/07 12:19 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
maybe put some body splash on her desk before she gets to work
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| Posted 10/18/07 12:21 PM |
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Belladonna219
HOT MAMA
Member since 2/07 2642 total posts
Name:
Belladonna219
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
I work in a very corporate off and one of my co-workers is a stinker. She is "all for the environment" and refuses to use certain products because they are "so bad". We had one of our managers approach her about her stinky onions BO smell. Well when she returned after her meeting she made it clear to all of us. Sorry if my odor offends you, I was just told I need to wear deodorant and soap. She was Pizzed 
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| Posted 10/18/07 12:33 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
I've had to do this LOTS of times as an HR person.
It's never recieved well.
I think it would be even worse coming from a co-worker in a small environment.
Can you pop in one of those OUST plug-in fans that have no scent but absorb odor?
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:11 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Posted by Twinkie
She lives in a basement apartment. Which I think makes the musty smell...
Do u think the best bet is to go with HR?
You would think she would realize the Lysol smell in the air when ever she re-enters the office.
Some people are oblivious to everything and she's probably just used to her own smell. My mom didn't have "HR" at her job, it was a VERY small law office so she had to do it. In your case, I would go with HR i think.
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:13 PM |
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Daddy212
LIF Infant
Member since 10/07 71 total posts
Name:
David
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Posted by Christine
ask hr to handle it? it seems a tad more discreet that way.
One of the reasons I sometimes think about leaving HR.
IMHO this is something that her supervisor should address, as it's clearly having an effect on productivity. And no, there's no polite way to say it - but it has to be said.
I've dealt with this problem before, but usually it was a BO issue, not just a "general mustiness". Maybe whoever draws the short straw (boss or HR) should address the discomfort of co-workers and suggest more frequent laundry washing?
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:16 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Multiple reasons for BO in the first place:
- hygiene
- living environment
- certain medication
- alcohol
- certain foods
Some odors will NOT be covered by deodorant.
How to approach it? VERY carefully! Just talk to HR or your manager.
We had to do this for a co-worker that thought he had to swim in colone everyday.
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:16 PM |
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curliegirl
He's here!!!!
Member since 3/06 10128 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
I would suggest sending a department-wide email so as not to offend 1 person, but say that there is an individual or individuals whose hygeine is stalling productivity and everyone needs to step up their hygeine regimen and be considerate of others......
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:23 PM |
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Twinkie
LIF Infant
Member since 4/07 61 total posts
Name:
Been Awhile..
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Re: Is there a polite way to say...
Posted by leighla
I've had to do this LOTS of times as an HR person.
It's never recieved well.
I think it would be even worse coming from a co-worker in a small environment.
Can you pop in one of those OUST plug-in fans that have no scent but absorb odor?
we have 2 plug ins already One by my desk and one by my other co workers
Message edited 10/18/2007 1:24:28 PM.
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| Posted 10/18/07 1:23 PM |
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