How to tell someone they have BO

Savvy_Sue

fairy_lights wrote: »

Another thought - is his uniform made of polyester? That could explain why he's getting a bit whiffy after a few hours in it.

Oh lord yes! Put me in polyester and it doesn't matter what I've done beforehand, it won't be dry!

bertiewhite

NineDeuce wrote: »

Is this really a topic for discussion?

Yes, that's why the OP asked the question and we're giving advice on how we'd do it.

RuthnJasper

NineDeuce wrote: »

Is this really a topic for discussion?

Yes! It's an awkward situation, especially for a relatively new manager.


For what it's worth, Pickle29 sounds like a very good person to have as a manager. I hope you can get this sorted with the minimum of embarrassment on all sides.

NineDeuce

bertiewhite wrote: »

Yes, that's why the OP asked the question and we're giving advice on how we'd do it.

Ok. Say 'you have BO', and then you have succeeded in telling someone they have BO...

dawyldthing

If possible could you provide them with a second set of clothes as If they are working say 5 8 hour shifts in a row but only have one set of uniform (it happened to me once uniform wise that shifts were after each other so a challenge to keep on top of washing with limited time to wash and dry between shifts) then there's not enough time to wash and dry it inbetween shifts

annandale

I've seen quiet chats turn into situations where people get very distressed and wish they had a friend to accompany them. Particularly on issues such as hygiene.

Nicki

annandale wrote: »

I've seen quiet chats turn into situations where people get very distressed and wish they had a friend to accompany them. Particularly on issues such as hygiene.

Equally, the employee may feel humiliated that such a sensitive issue had not been raised privately with him. I'd be mortified if my boss told me I had BO in front of a colleague and would find that very inappropriate to the extent that a Grievance might be in order.

theoretica

Nicki wrote: »

Equally, the employee may feel humiliated that such a sensitive issue had not been raised privately with him. I'd be mortified if my boss told me I had BO in front of a colleague and would find that very inappropriate to the extent that a Grievance might be in order.

I don't see how you can tell someone what the chat will be about so they can decide if they want someone with them, without having the same issue of if this should be said in private or not. I guess the solution is to be aware and offer to resume the chat later, with or without a companion, if the employee's reaction seems to merit this.

vjm63

Just to put a point from the other side - I once had this happen to me. We were living in a grotty flat from necessity, with damp and slugs, shared toilet upstairs, and our shower was in the bedroom, so you can imagine how difficult it was to get/keep any clothes dry or smelling fresh! It was early spring, and my boss sort of rushed past me, almost handing me by accident a sealed letter, muttering 'you may want to read this when you are on your own'. and off she was out of sight!

So I did. And I was so embarrassed. I was totally paranoid after that for ages, with antiperspirant and deodorant, being near anyone, and making sure I wore clean smelling clothes all the time - even to the extent of only wearing cotton if at all possible. Never was there a discussion with her - I know it is really difficult for both sides, but there are ways and there are ways not to do things...

zugzwang

NineDeuce wrote: »

Ok. Say 'you have BO', and then you have succeeded in telling someone they have BO...

It's not really what you say, its the way that you say it...

Don't say "BO",it's unnecessary to be blunt ie rude really. You can just comment that he sweats. See what he replies. He should reply with something about noticing, or not noticing sweat or dealing with sweat. Then maybe comment that everyone's sweat smells.

Make sure that he understands the situation is a problem. If he doesn't start talking solutions then you need to eg. shirt change during the shift. When he understands the situation needs a solution he'll have understood there's a problem.

BTW The old sh*t sandwich is an effective management technique. You start and finish a conversation with some nice bread. Yum Yum. But shove the sh*t in the middle. Maybe complement that he works hard (hence the sweat). Then get the unpleasantness over with. Before ending on a high. Talk about his future maybe.:)