Because you can 'sort' medical issues with the wave of a wand, of course.
Advice on coworker's smell
- Thread starter Steveocee
- Start date
Clearly not, no one suggested such a thing, maybe be best to use some common sense before trying to state I am attacking someone's medical condition.
Given this was a problem in the year I spent at a store. Then when I saw him again was after I finished uni, indicating it's been at least 3 years.
He should have got it sorted.
Or maybe you are him, still those pesky cats yeah mate?
How should he have got it sorted?
Soldato
Tell him/her. They wont know unless they are told. Unless they are doing it maliciously.
Why don't you tell me instead, why it should be acceptable for any human to wee themselves for years and not seek medical attention for the condition.
For reference, the guy was 22 at the time when I first met him.
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How do you know he didn't?
State of the NHS, he's probably still on a waiting list to be seen by a specialist
Commissario
OcUK don't sell fast food, you can say the name
Soldato
I used to work with someone that didn’t smell bad, but had a very strong smell about them. They used to sit next to me and I used to get headaches over the smell. I had to ask my boss if I could move desks, shame as I liked the location of the desk. He wanted to move next to again after I moved, as I was his “friend” and he liked sitting next to me… I moved departments quickly lol
At another place, I used to work with an ex-coal miner heavy smoker, his partner used to breed cats, coupled with that he used to motorbike from a far distance into work. He smelt badly of a mix of fags, wet cats and BO. Luckily I was in a position where I could send him out for jobs out of the office, so he was never in the office much.
I still received complaints about him when he left the department to work for estates as people thought their office had been robbed by the mess he used make and the only reason why they knew it was him was the smell and PAT stickers left behind. I was like don’t tell me, tell his manager.
At another place, I used to work with an ex-coal miner heavy smoker, his partner used to breed cats, coupled with that he used to motorbike from a far distance into work. He smelt badly of a mix of fags, wet cats and BO. Luckily I was in a position where I could send him out for jobs out of the office, so he was never in the office much.
I still received complaints about him when he left the department to work for estates as people thought their office had been robbed by the mess he used make and the only reason why they knew it was him was the smell and PAT stickers left behind. I was like don’t tell me, tell his manager.How do you know he didn't?
State of the NHS, he's probably still on a waiting list to be seen by a specialist
The employer was aware of the reasons as to why and he fobbed them off with a story about his cats each time when it's clear that was not the case.
I met this person in 2005, the NHS was in a better state to deal with these things then, he chose not to sort his problem.
That's what I'm getting at.How do you know he didn't?
State of the NHS, he's probably still on a waiting list to be seen by a specialist
Caporegime
How does he even get past the in person interview to actually get these jobs in places where hygiene is paramount?
Easy, @Stu999 is the hiring manager.
I have no idea how he made it through any interview as once you are within 3m of him, it was very apparent. But then again, the managers you get at those places are normally so desperate for staff they'll take anyone.
I do genuinely hope he has got it sorted so he can go on and live a normal life.
Been in the receiving end of this. Had a really bad case of dermatitis, eczema in my feet. The itching was unbearable and made my feet sweat like mad, which stank. Like an idiot I took my shoes off to relieve the heat and cool them off.
Person complained to my manager, manager messaged my mate/co-worker, mate/co-worker told me to sort my **** out. Embarrassing.
So if this person has such a mate or co-worker they banter with who can tell it like it is and (as you say) avoid HR then try that. I would have been mortified if HR got involved.
Person complained to my manager, manager messaged my mate/co-worker, mate/co-worker told me to sort my **** out. Embarrassing.
So if this person has such a mate or co-worker they banter with who can tell it like it is and (as you say) avoid HR then try that. I would have been mortified if HR got involved.
You have to bite the bullet really at management level and have a sit down with the person, say there have been complaints/making some people feel uncomfortable, it isn't a good situation to deal with. We had it at work but even with a formal conversation they only made an effort for a few weeks though it was never quite as bad after that, I feel sorry for whoever has to work with them where they've gone now if it is still the same.
Had this with one of my young lads in the office. It was awkward, but that's why we're paid the big bucks. Informal chat to start with, if it wasn't sorted locally, then i would have raised to HR. I wouldn't bring anybody else into this ie don't say "there have been complaints about your BO", own the problem.
Brought him into my office and said words to the effect of, i need to discuss a sensitive issue with you. You have noticed that they have body odour. This is no reflection on your work, but i need you to address this. Have you noticed this yourself? Is there any medical reason? Anything you can do to help them with this?
Be careful of Religious stuff and document your chat. Be honest, kind, but direct.
Brought him into my office and said words to the effect of, i need to discuss a sensitive issue with you. You have noticed that they have body odour. This is no reflection on your work, but i need you to address this. Have you noticed this yourself? Is there any medical reason? Anything you can do to help them with this?
Be careful of Religious stuff and document your chat. Be honest, kind, but direct.
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Soldato
Actually, that is a point - also are they from an ethnic minority or do they have some mental health issues?
Imagine a white (if OP is) manager bringing in an ethnically Indian or Pakistani person and telling them they're smelly - that might need to be approached very carefully.
Soldato
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- 24 Sep 2007
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My view - Take them aside for a discreet meeting and say to them you'd like them to work on improving their standards of personal hygiene as you feel they aren't meeting the standards necessary for working in a shared office. Ask them to work on it for the next month, and say you'll let them know then if they still aren't meeting the necessary standard and you will have another discussion, otherwise they've solved it. If you are worried, speak to HR first before doing this, to check they are OK with it.