Hi All,

Have an interesting one here....

We have an individual who has quite persistent body odour.  He's been with us for nearly a year and the Manager has spoken to him about it quite a few times - he admits he doesnt notice it himself but always seems to take it on board and says he'll make changes to improve.  The last conversation the Manager had was a bit stronger (he's been worried about going in too harshly) but it's apparently still an issue so I think it's time for HR to have a chat. 

Whilst I've come across similar issues before, it's always been fixed by one or two conversations - so I'm at a bit of a loss as to what more I can add/say that the Manager hasn't already.

Has anyone come up against similar situations?  If so, how have you handled it? 

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  •  

    Hi Becky

    I agree with Chrissy, it's a difficult one but people appreciate as Chrisst says being honest and getting to the point.

    Whenever I have a difficult message to convey I try to think about if I was on the receiving end and how I would like to be dealt with.

    There is also some practical guidance here, as remember body odour can also be as a result of a medical condition.

    https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/page...

    Good luck!

    Sarah

  • Hi Becky,

    That's a tough situation for you. When I was going through my HR training, the consultant said that personal hygene conversations are probably one of the most difficult types to have with employees, but that it's best to be honest and straight to the point. 

    I don't know what the other manager has already said, but perhaps you could ask what measures the employee has put in place to combat his body odour since those previous conversations? Once you know that it might give you a jumping off point for further suggestions. I would probably suggest switching to a new brand of deoderant, and increasing the strength. What about keeping a spray deoderant in his desk drawer in case he needs to freshen up during the day?

    The consultant I mentioned said that she once had to have this conversation with an employee and through discussion it transpired that she had been promoted to a position she wasn't fully skilled for and was finding it so stressful that she was sweating profusly every day, causing her a problem with body odour. So perhaps see if you can drill down a bit in case there is an underlying issue, or even medical condition.

    Best of luck, and keep us posted.

    Chrissy

    • Thanks Chrissy - definitely one of the more difficult ones...

      So the Manager has already covered off what can be done to combat it - he apparently doesn't have hot water at home and he rides a motorbike into work so the Manager suggested using the shower at work instead - which he doesn't seem to have taken up.  I've noticed he's bought some new suits so it's like he's trying, but I think it must come down to a medical condition. 

      I'll let you know how it goes! 

      • Hi Becky,

        That is a really good point, maybe it is a medical condition, a good question would be to find out if he has been diagnosed with it? (he might be too embarrassed to put it on his health and welfare questionnaire form). 

        If he isnt aware of his own body odure, it could be a long standing condition that has gone un-diagnosed and as Febreeze say, he's gone 'Nose Blind'. 

        Then again it could just be a case of him being so oblivious he doesnt know when it is at it's ''strongest'' and when he should be dealing with it. 

        I have recently dealt with an individual who suffers with anxiety and depression and when he is having a particularly bad episode, his personal hygiene becomes quite poor and it is usually his first tell sign that he isn't doing so well. 

        Maybe explain to your person that you're concerned and want to check on his welfare etc, see if there is something more going on behind the scenes. 

        Good luck with this one, definitely not an easy discussion to have! 

        Paige 

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