A tricky issue: A colleague who doesn't wash her hands

warehouse

A tricky issue this one. We're quite a small team in the office, (10 of us), and it came to our attention recently that one particular lady uses the loo then comes straight out without washing her hands. Someone noticed this and soon after someone else did too. This has now been confirmed again by a 3rd different person, (no we're not stalking her).

Now the issue is, everyone now knows this, office gossip being what it is. Anything she touches is now deemed untouchable. For example, someone brought in some turkish delight which she rushed over to open and try, now nobody else will touch the stuff. Another issue is that she's always the one who's coughing and sneezing and now we can understand why a bit more!

How can we tackle this sensitive issue in a way that won't be hurtful or damaging to her?

crabyducky

Give alcohol gel to everyone in the office. put up please wash your habd signs May work. If not send everyone on a infection control course.??

Failing that you could always just pluck up the courage and have a quiet word.

Googlewhacker

This is why managers are paid to manage, if you are not the manager have a quiet word with them and explain that 2 or 3 people have noticed this and ask them to have a quiet word with the member of staff about their hygiene.

If you are the manager then you need to have a quiet word (at the end of the day so they have time to ponder and feel embarressed but not in front of other staff).

Its not easy but it has to be done.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

We've got those NHS / government posters over the sink about "how to wash your hands" and "prevent flu" and all that.

Here's a thought: some people are allergic to certain soaps, yes? So in your staff meeting or whatever, if you have one, perhaps someone could casually say something like "as we all know, germs...flu season coming up... we all wash our hands but we just need to check we've got soap everyone can use... is alcohol based gel ok for everyone...blah blah blah..." keeping it light and helpful but pretty damn clear. Make it look like some kind of helpful audit.

santacruz_2

Is someone actually in the loo with her when she walks out of the cubicle and then straight back in to the office? I'd say something whilst in the loo, ask her why she isn't washing her hands. Try and do it in a jokey but blunt way. Tell her to get back in and wash them so her germs aren't everywhere.

SarEl

You are, of course, all making some assumptions here. I never wash my hands either - for the simple fact that I am allergic to soaps and never take the risk - I carry alcohol gel with me all the time and use that, but I doubt very much whether most people would notice!

warehouse

SarEl wrote: »

You are, of course, all making some assumptions here. I never wash my hands either - for the simple fact that I am allergic to soaps and never take the risk - I carry alcohol gel with me all the time and use that, but I doubt very much whether most people would notice!

All of our toilets are equipped with alcohol gel dispensers.

Thanks for the other replies so far as well. It does need to be sorted and I think you're right, her manager is the right person to talk to.

ceridwen

Gazing_On_Sunsets wrote: »

We've got those NHS / government posters over the sink about "how to wash your hands" and "prevent flu" and all that.

Here's a thought: some people are allergic to certain soaps, yes? So in your staff meeting or whatever, if you have one, perhaps someone could casually say something like "as we all know, germs...flu season coming up... we all wash our hands but we just need to check we've got soap everyone can use... is alcohol based gel ok for everyone...blah blah blah..." keeping it light and helpful but pretty damn clear. Make it look like some kind of helpful audit.

That sounds a far more constructive way to deal with this. My first thought was "Maybe the soap management use is wrong for her - like its very cheap and dries out her hands or something - but she hasnt known how to get management to swop it/add to it to get one that suits her." That way - you make sure she is catered for/you are catered for and she feels like her needs have been looked after - rather than feeling like people are sitting in judgement on her without necessarily knowing the full facts.

Googlewhacker

ceridwen wrote: »

That sounds a far more constructive way to deal with this. My first thought was "Maybe the soap management use is wrong for her - like its very cheap and dries out her hands or something - but she hasnt known how to get management to swop it/add to it to get one that suits her." That way - you make sure she is catered for/you are catered for and she feels like her needs have been looked after - rather than feeling like people are sitting in judgement on her without necessarily knowing the full facts.

Oh come on, if this was anyone else they would have brought their own etc so that they could wash their hands, they wouldn't just not wash their hands everytime they go. (presuming that the OP is not mistaken)

juno

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Oh come on, if this was anyone else they would have brought their own etc so that they could wash their hands, they wouldn't just not wash their hands everytime they go. (presuming that the OP is not mistaken)

I was going to agree with ceridwen - for a short while we changed soap at work, and the new one brought me out in a horrible rash! But after I realised this I took in my own gel rather than just not washing my hands.

westv

SarEl wrote: »

You are, of course, all making some assumptions here. I never wash my hands either - for the simple fact that I am allergic to soaps and never take the risk - I carry alcohol gel with me all the time and use that, but I doubt very much whether most people would notice!

But you do clean your hands before leaving the toilet dont you?