Bad B.O.

[happy_face]

How do you politely tell someone they smell?

My other half who's a supervisor has been told by his manager that he needs to speak to a member of staff who works for him as he's got terrible B.O. It's not just a case of sweat but his uniform smells and we think it's a case of the uniform not being washed on a regular basis as it's dirty as well.

[sense4all]

This should be dealt with by the human resources ( personnel ) department ,I think.

[bunnygirl4u]

He could hold a group meeting about it, adressed towards everyone,reguarding the work dress code and personal hygiene,explaining that he expect high standards as it looks more proffesional etc, or take the guy to a one on one meeting and discuss the matter in a sensitive but direct way.

[daisycup]

Think it should be addressed by HR. The person in question might not realise that he smells.

[RevFunk]

Whenever you speak to the person put a large peg on your nose and/or be violently sick

[cheries]

As usual, RevFunk is so very helpful.
My suggestion is to hold a group meeting and raise the issue with everyone. If the problem persists then I'm afraid the "Dave, you smell" conversation is genuinely unavoidable.

[happy_face]

RevFunk - that made me chuckle... thank you

Unfortunately he can't do a group meeting as he's in charge of just that one guy as it's only the two of them working in that dept.
I personally think it should be down to the manager but I think he's delegating as he doesn't fancy doing it

[pips1]

LOL at RevFunk. Seriously though I knew a man who was once asked to do this and he was dreading it. However, he plucked up the courage and took the man to one side and told him as politely as he could. The man hadn't realised and was grateful and things improved with no hard feelings. Guess he was lucky though.

[nannon]

When you say uniform...is it an actual uniform that the company supply? If it is then prehaps your other half could casually ask him if he has enough uniforms as he has noticed them looking a little grubby/he knows how hard it is to keep them clean etc,,,,hopefully he may take the hint?

If not I do think that the MANAGER should speak to all employees as a whole rather than asking your husband to do his dirty work. If it just your partner and this guy working togther it could potentially make things very uncomfortable between them - I think your partner should point this out and tell his manager he is not comfortable doing this!

[happy_face]

Nannon - I'll get him to do exactly that.

thanks

[WoWo]

Can't see getting everybody in a group would do much good (even though happy_face has said this is not possible) as people who suffer from B.O. often don't know.

If it were me I'd simply take them to one side and say something along the lines of..."X has asked me to pass on the message that he thinks you might have a small problem with B.O." That way it's clear he is not saying it but the boss is.