Wearing perfume at work
Discussion
My OH has been working as a receptionist at a hospital for the past year. Yesterday her immediate manager asked if she could reduce the amount of perfume she uses; she doesn't overdo it but does use it so it can be smelt (isn't that the idea?). She has never had any other staff member or patient complain about the amount of perfume she uses; in fact, some have even asked what she uses.
Her manager didn't tell her the reason behind her request so I have asked my OH to ask for clarification i.e. is it hospital policy, has someone complained, etc.
Has anyone else encountered anything like this before and what was the outcome?
Her manager didn't tell her the reason behind her request so I have asked my OH to ask for clarification i.e. is it hospital policy, has someone complained, etc.
Has anyone else encountered anything like this before and what was the outcome?
It could be the the manager is sensitive to certain perfumes. My mum ends up with a splitting headache if anyone wearing certain perfumes goes anywhere near her.
Alternately, is the manager older and less attractive? If so, prepare for a long and protracted attempt to gradually erode your OH's confidence by picking her apart piece by piece, starting with her perfume.
Alternately, is the manager older and less attractive? If so, prepare for a long and protracted attempt to gradually erode your OH's confidence by picking her apart piece by piece, starting with her perfume.
Yeah Id ask why, I'm pretty sensitive to certain scents but not normally a problem unless pretty close or theyre slathering it on, although some are worse than others, many are okay used sparing while some set me off big time, can be perfume/cologne/deodorant/air freshener, generally cheaper stuff being worst.
If there was a reason (medical, terms and conditions, complaint, etc) then my OH would have no problem not wearing it. But I think her manager should at least explain the reasoning.
MitchT said:
Alternately, is the manager older and less attractive? If so, prepare for a long and protracted attempt to gradually erode your OH's confidence by picking her apart piece by piece, starting with her perfume.
I fear this could be part of the problem, maybe a large part. My OH is very particular in ensuring her hair and makeup are right, with perfume being part of that. Her manager, however, is not like that... Pilchard said:
If there was a reason (medical, terms and conditions, complaint, etc) then my OH would have no problem not wearing it. But I think her manager should at least explain the reasoning.
MitchT said:
Alternately, is the manager older and less attractive? If so, prepare for a long and protracted attempt to gradually erode your OH's confidence by picking her apart piece by piece, starting with her perfume.
I fear this could be part of the problem, maybe a large part. My OH is very particular in ensuring her hair and makeup are right, with perfume being part of that. Her manager, however, is not like that... 
Pilchard said:
I fear this could be part of the problem, maybe a large part. My OH is very particular in ensuring her hair and makeup are right, with perfume being part of that. Her manager, however, is not like that...
Perhaps someone complained to the manager and that is why it was raised. Perhaps the person did not wish to raise it in person and the manager probably does not want to say who complained as it could make relations awkward. Pothole said:
I can't really understand why your OH wouldn't just comply? Is her job actually that fabulous that this is the only thing she can find to try and fight the system over?
Pretty much this.It's not an unreasonable request, I mean it's not like she's being told not to shower or brush her hair.
hy at allOP,
Personally, I find any perfume / cologne that's noticable as a cloud quite unpleasant. I also associate it with either dodgy leather jackets and greasy hair (blokes) or old birds / tarty birds (ladies). I'm sure that perfume is nice when you're sharing personal space, but it should never be shared with people that are the other side of a desk to you
Personally, I find any perfume / cologne that's noticable as a cloud quite unpleasant. I also associate it with either dodgy leather jackets and greasy hair (blokes) or old birds / tarty birds (ladies). I'm sure that perfume is nice when you're sharing personal space, but it should never be shared with people that are the other side of a desk to you
I work with an Indian lady who soaks herself in Chanel before any meeting with senior management or external clients - the scent is nice, the amount she puts on is massively OTT though (as in, more sprays of perfume than I use of my antipersperant in the morning!!). I tend just to ignore it because more often that not, she's on her way out to meet a client so the smell soon dissipates, but I've often wondered what the people she meets think. My point is, just because your wife hasn't received any complaints from others, doesn't mean that it's not offending people. It's often difficult to tell how strong it is when you get used to it, so it may be worth toning it down a bit.
As already said could be any number of valid reasons. One that springs to mind specifically in a healthcare environment, is that strong odours, like sounds, colours etc can act as a stimulant to people with autism and other conditions. At work any strong scents are banned because of this.
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