Co-Worker not smelling so good

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What do you do if one of your co-workers have this "not-so-good-smell" going on with them? I mean those with strong body odors, that you'll get dizzy once you're beside them especially if they are hanging the IV (arms raised). Do you confront them or just pretend that your not smelling anything?

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I would think it would go in Peer evals (if you have them).

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Oh geez. That is an interesting one. If you notice the odor, so does everybody else. I have a weak stomach for that kind of smell too. However, I don't know how guys are about these things, can guys just walk up to another guy and say, "Hey man, you stink. Do something about it, huh?!"

off topic, sort of... years ago when I would go to work out, there was this guy who always did time on the rowing machines. You could smell him 20 ft away. I'd have to walk an arc around him for fear of hitting that wave of nausea on the way to my favorite treadmill. I remember him to this day. He would smile at me as I passed him at a distance (I was a little hottie back then, :lol2:) I thought OMG, what will I do if he should get up and come to talk to me!

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Actually that co-worker I was talking about is female!

Haha! I was doing that avoiding arc too so I won't get nauseated. I've never told my co-worker though that she stinks.

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I'll bet that a remark from a male coworker will go a lot further than one from a female coworker.

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awwh... perhaps one can mention different types of fragrance you use and ask them what type they use. even though body odor is yucky, please take in account we donot know why they stink. could be medical, poor hygiene, let me know what ya did? :tinkbll:

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I would report it anon. to the nurse manager... letter under the office door or something. Be professional and account for the times you noticed the strong body odor on your coworker. I had this situation where I used to work with one of the warehouse guys. It wasn't a hygeine problem but a medical problem so it may be medical with your coworker. I wouldn't directly approach the coworker because she may get offended and the working relationship will never be the same.

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I guess it depends on how close to the coworker you are, as well. I mean, were it another guy I was at least friendly with - I would probably jokingly ask if he'd been at the gym this morning and forgotten to shower.

For women, though? Well, a few years back I worked with a girl who had the strongest BO I've ever smelled. It wasn't a particularly offensive odor, but it was certainly strong. I never really mentioned anything, because I was never really close enough to her to know how to break it without offense. But, to be fair, we were cleaners in a busy hospital and I don't doubt I worked my own sweat up more than once, either.

So, my advise would be to anonymously slip a note into her locker advising her on a nice perfume :lol2:

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You could have management deal with it or do it yourself if you are comfortable. If it was someone I was friendly with I would go to them myself because that might be less embarassing than a manager telling them someone reported it.

You could say that you noticed an odor and wanted to be sure they were okay and feeling well. It could be a medical problem and it gives them a little bit of an out. Let them know you didn't want to embarass them but wanted them to be aware and if you had the same problem you would appreciate someone pointing it out. You could even say you've tried products that didn't work and suggest one. If it is done kindly and with consideration I think you will be fine.

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I have to say there is a coworker that I work with also that is always smelling disgusting. We both work double weekends together and he is funky from the AM shift till PM shift. I don't know what to tell him. I am so scared to offend him but the smell is not musty, it's the smell you get when you don't shower. An "ass" smell and it is so horrible. I talk to all the other coworkers I work with and they all agree that he smells really bad. I get mad because I question myself on whether it's me or him that smells because the odor is some strong and overpowering. I feel like it's coming off my body. I always test myself to see if it's me. It's funny but I do it because I just can't believe a person can smell that bad at the beginning of a shift.

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Specializes in EMT-P.
I would report it anon. to the nurse manager... letter under the office door or something. Be professional and account for the times you noticed the strong body odor on your coworker. I had this situation where I used to work with one of the warehouse guys. It wasn't a hygeine problem but a medical problem so it may be medical with your coworker. I wouldn't directly approach the coworker because she may get offended and the working relationship will never be the same.

I am not sure why people feel so uncomfortable about approaching an individual with such an issue. Quite frankly, if my booty stank I would appreciate if someone took me aside and said, "Dude, no offense but you sorta have a issue with funky armpits" To me, I would not be mad at the person (A little embarrassed maybe) but not mad, and I would be glad to know this so I could remedy the situation and save myself further embarrassment in the future.

After all if it were you, would you rather hearing about it from your boss or a co-worker?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

We had a medical student that really smelled bad..there was talk of speaking to him but people were afraid because it may have been a "cultural" thing.

People were just putting that peppermint stuff inside their masks..;)

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