How to tell someone they have BO

Nicki

tazwhoever wrote: »

Christmas is coming in 3 months - may be give the person a gift of stronger deodorant.

That's cowardly and cruel. How would you feel if someone did this to you?

worried123

Difficult one.....It sounds to me as though he probably does shower but does not use deodorant. This would account for him smelling at the end of the day and not at the beginning....I would imagine that perspiration takes time to smell.. If he used a proper deodorant he should not smell like that.

I think that somebody has to be brave and tell him that he needs to use a spray deodorant after he showers....there is no other way.

tazwhoever

Nicki wrote: »

That's cowardly and cruel. How would you feel if someone did this to you?

I was just joking!

Sorry, I didn't mean what I wrote.

Savvy_Sue

annandale wrote: »

Oh and if someone pulled me into a meeting with no advance notice and without being able to take someone with me to witness the conversation, Id be seeing a union about it

Now this is tricky ...

If this is a disciplinary meeting, then yes, he needs to be given notice, and allowed to bring either an accredited union official, or a colleague.

But ... is the disciplinary process the best place to start?

OP, is there somewhere this chap could privately wash, re-apply deodorant, and change his shirt? Is there somewhere he could keep a clean shirt and wash kit without the whole staff knowing about it?

Is there somewhere you can have a private conversation?

I have had to manage such conversations, and I did have the advantage of an HR department behind me. Yes, you must be aware that there MAY be a medical problem, but no, giving information from the internet would be a definite noooooo.

I might start a conversation along the lines of "Fred, you're a great worker, but sometimes by the end of a shift it seems that you'd benefit from having been able to freshen up. Can we help out with that? You could keep wash supplies and a clean shirt in your locker, and I can give you an extra couple of minutes on your break if necessary."

Obviously tailor as necessary to the situation, but if he comes in smelling sweet it's obviously not that he just doesn't wash.

And this might lead on to discussions of the stronger deodorants - but be aware that they might not suit everyone. Someone with eczema, for example, might find it easily triggered.

In the worst case I've ever known, the colleague was using really cheap detergent and fabric conditioner, and drying all clothes on airers indoors. Plus smoking. It made for a really sickly chemical smell, and once a colleague had worked out that it was less BO and more sickly chemical smell, we were able to sort it, more or less ...

cjv

Not sure if this is sensible or not, but you could issue a polite letter and hand it to all staff. Something along the lines of "As we provide x service which includes x, x and x we would like to remind all staff that it is essential that they maintain the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness at all times, this includes personal hygiene etc etc"

You get the idea:D

It is a tricky problem to solve, while still trying to be sensitive to the person.

Pickle29

Thanks for all your advice. Really useful with mixed views! I have not done this before but I agree will see him rather than the chef. Will have a chat and see if he is aware and take it from there.

Many thanks

warby68

If possible, I'd try not to let him know that other people have commented as it will add to his humiliation. Matter of fact, you've noticed and you're quite used to this common issue as the working environment is demanding in this regard. When you've dealt with it before the things that have worked are..... anti-perspirant not just deodorant, mid shift freshen up and we're happy with discreet arrangements for this etc etc. Plenty of people, yourself included, have had to take extra care.

Its a dreaded issue - good luck.

Kayalana99

clairec79 wrote: »

If he only has BO at the end of the shift, not at the beginning I'd guess he is using deodorant etc, it's just not lasting

Actually deodorant can actually make the smell worse as it can combine with the sweat to release an even worst smell. It may be he needs to stop wearing one altogether as it may be what causes it.

Usually these guys that really stink are ones that load it on, as they are aware of the smell so wear more to try and combat it and end up making it worse.

NeilCr

Just to add to those advocating the gently gently approach

We had this problem at work a long time ago. One of the managers, who was also a friend of the guy, took him aside. It transpired that he had recently been through a relationship break up and was rather mixed up. He wasn't aware of the BO and was mortified about it

bertiewhite

I also had to deal with this once after other members of my team had complained to me about it.

I waited until the end of the day (so that he could leave straight away and not have to go through the rest of the day feeling embarrassed), took him to one side and explained that several people had commented on his apparent lack of personal hygiene. I asked if I had to elaborate and if there was a problem which may be the cause, he said "no" to both questions and we didn't have a problem from there on.