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

warehouse

Bobbell wrote: »

Sorry I felt I had to register to suggest that perhaps you dreadful old biddies should mind your own business?

Seriously, this is a net curtain twitcher territory.

The vast majority of people in the office are men. The men are aghast at her behaviour, much more so than the women.

Hootie19 wrote: »

I So although this may not be the case in your scenario, OP, I'd make sure you do have the facts before confronting.

100% sure, see below.

honeypop wrote: »

How is it that you KNOW she isn't washing her hands? Have people actually been in there with her when she has walked straight out?

Yesterday the whole office was on a course out of town. There was one ladies and one gents. I myself was standing outside the gents waiting when the toilet flushed in the ladies, I heard the cubicle door open then within 2 seconds she was out of the door. So I have now witnessed it myself. She went straight to the cofffee pot thing and poured herself a cup. I wouldn't use it afterwards.

Please, don't see this as some sort of witch hunt, it isn't, we're actually a very pleasant bunch of people and want to sort this without pain for her or us, hence the thread asking for advice.

Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhea. That's why we want her behaviour to stop, because it doesn't just affect her, it affect us all.

thorsoak

If you can't bring yourself to speak to her directly - send her an email!

ceridwen

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'm going to save that! And if I ever see you saying you might be a few pennies short once, just once.... out it'll come!!!

£7???
£7?????!!!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: realisation after the event - I'm using the £5 or so bottle of handwash I have now - and the £7 odd one is lined up in reserve. It IS nice - French and lovely smell:D...and yes...I DO know its downright expensive...:rotfl:- but even austere ceridwen DOES spend it - once in a while....

santacruz_2

Do it in a jokey way, she'll then realise that you're now all aware that she doesn't wash her hands. Getting the manager to do it is humiliating. Surely there's a blunt comedian in the office to whom she won't take offense?!

ceridwen

Eliza wrote: »

I used to work in some offices shared with a number of different small companies, I preferred to cross the road to the public loo rather than use ours, lots of people went in and out of our own little loo without washing their hands - some without even shutting the door when they were in there! Was so glad when I moved to another building only for that reason.

But it's hard when, for example, I was watching Nigella last night and twice she came straight in from the street, still with her coat on, and started cooking. No handwashing. She had been in shops, a taxi etc in London - masses of germs. Money is one of the worst.

As others have said I find it second nature to wash after the loo, and before handling food. Something to do with upbringing I suppose.

None of which helps the original poster but lots of good suggestions have been put forward anyway.

Liz

...and there IS some basis in the "something to do with upbringing". I was brought up with "middle class manners" and frequently think :eek: about someones conduct in some respects - but have to "keep my trap shut" because I know those that werent simply wont understand or sympathise. Just today for instance I ate my lunch whilst wincing at someone licking the last bit of food off a container (I would have used a spoon to scrape it off and eat it if I was that concerned about getting the last morsel) and someone else talking with their mouth full.

Sometimes many of us just wince and have to grit teeth and accept that others have different standards - MANY others it seems....darn it......

I would love everyone else to have "middle class manners" as well - but its a daily "cross to bear" that they just don't.......

ceridwen

santacruz wrote: »

Do it in a jokey way, she'll then realise that you're now all aware that she doesn't wash her hands. Getting the manager to do it is humiliating. Surely there's a blunt comedian in the office to whom she won't take offense?!

I dont agree with that personally. It really IS a managers job to deal with this issue - thats part of what they are paid extra for after all......

Though...ummm...it doesnt necessarily work even then...having got a manager to talk to a colleague about B.O. before now - and they STILL didnt shower enough...:mad:

butterfly72

emg wrote: »

people who only use alcohol gel, be aware that it wont kill norovirus (winter vomitting bug).

yep, its a anti-BACTERIAL gel not anti viral gel.

Also, gel won't rid your hands of any.. erm how can put this... soiling of the wet or solid kind!

You're hands should be free from actual dirt for the gel to be effective and it needs rubbing in until evaporated.

I'd go with the handwashing signs and mention in the next staff meeting that they are there and ask if everyone is ok with the soap provided.

butterfly72

ceridwen wrote: »

Though...ummm...it doesnt necessarily work even then...having got a manager to talk to a colleague about B.O. before now - and they STILL didnt shower enough...:mad:

Sweating could be a symptom of a health problem. Only you've not allowed to ask about that from today!!

Soubrette

ceridwen wrote: »

"keep my trap shut"

That doesn't sound very middle class :eek:;)

FATBALLZ

Surely even if you don't like the soap you rinse your hands with the taps... or do all these people claim to be allergic to water as well...