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?

Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

I think people make these kinds of things harder than they have to be. I would just make an off-hand remark, sort of in a joking way. "Dude, you're a bit ripe today! you might wanna go freshen up some." Something like that. I have no problems with someone approaching me this way - in fact, I would hope they would. People are so worried about confrontation when it doesn't even have to be particularly confrontational if you choose not to let it be.

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Which cultures don't believe in bathing??? :confused:

Lol. . . well, according to Americans, it's anyone who's " NOT AMERICAN ".... but then again, anywhere you go there's always the SLOB Americans who don't care they're POLLUTING the air!

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You know, my fiance had a horrible odor coming from him off and on for a year! I never wanted to say anything, but he is one of the cleanest people ever! After a year I let him know he smelled gross and he preceeded

LOL, haha... what? You mean you waited a year? lol. . . :D

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Which cultures don't believe in bathing??? :confused:

Some African cultures don't believe in perfumes and fragrances. I don't think it's a religious thing, but more a cultural one.

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Specializes in MR/DD.

Years ago at wal mart i had a lady wait on me.. that smelled so bad my eyes burned.. anyway i made a mental note of her name from her name badge .. and called her after i got home

i was as nice as could be and informed her that she had an extremely bad body odor and changing deodorants may be a good idea.. all she said was "OK"

i dont know if she took my advice or not, but at least she knew about it

i suggest you find a way to tell your co worker of her problem via email ( make up a new yahoo account or something) maybe type a note and place it in her locker/mailbox. you dont have to be mean about it just let her know of the issue and suggest a couple of really good antiperspirants or something

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I think suggesting types of deoderants would be much more insulting than just mentioning the problem. If it is in fact due to a health issue, etc, a deoderant isn't going to help. You can kindly say something without the unsolicited advice, and I think it would be much better received. Just my :twocents:.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I think an anonymous note/email to the co-worker herself is the best option. It allows her to quietly take care of the problem without having to feel embarrassed every time she sees you.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
These things are not taught usually in sociology. This I came to know because some nationalities have this distinct smell. Maybe its what they eat. Their noses are immune to their odor.

As Americans, we tend to assume that everyone wears deodorant throughout the world..this is not the case. I've traveled and even in Europe, there are plenty of people who don't wear deodorant/antiperspirant.

Bathing helps but without deodorant, BO will still be there especially during hot weather.

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Wait until she hangs an IV near you and say "Peee--ewww! Did you go to the gym before work? I can loan you some deodorant if you want?"

I would have to agree with this approach. This way, it is said as an off handed comment, but is also quite to the point. Doing it in this manner means you wouldn't have to be going into some long, serious drawnout type of confrontational conversation. If the offhanded somewhat jokingly method doesn't work, THEN do the serious approach and after that, approach management......Where did I see that one thread a while ago about the girl that was sitting on the office chairs and "leaking" everywhere, so that others had the choice of standing or sitting in it? Now THAT would be scary!

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
Where did I see that one thread a while ago about the girl that was sitting on the office chairs and "leaking" everywhere, so that others had the choice of standing or sitting in it? Now THAT would be scary!
What was she leaking? Blood? Urine? Amniotic fluid? And how did she not notice it herself?
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What was she leaking? Blood? Urine? Amniotic fluid? And how did she not notice it herself?

It was another coworker complaining about the girl that was "leaking." If I remember correctly, it was because she had a LOT of extra lubrication and would laugh it off and even acknowledge that she had the problem. I can't remember the name of the thread, though!

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I would just hold my nose and ask if anyone smelled feet. They should get the subtle hint. I wouldn't do it in front of a patient though.

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