Workmate personal hygiene issues

[24lemons]

I have recently started a new job in an office with 7 other people. It is immediately obvious that two of my workmates have severe personal hygiene issues. One is simply BO and the other, well, I’m not sure what it is but it is a horrific cocktail of smells.

The other staff in the office are all aware of the issues and we have all spoken to the supervisor and some have spoken to the site manager about the problem. So far, we have been reassured that it is “being dealt with” but I have been here for a month now and it is already more than I can take.

The working environment is deeply unpleasant and I find it very distracting. While I appreciate it has to be handled delicately, there are 5 other people here who are suffering while we wait for something to happen. From what I understand, these issues predate by starting by some time so I have no confidence that anything will change soon.

What would you do in this situation?

[24lemons]

vaud said:

Don't do anything directly in the modern workplace.

It is a management issue and must remain so.

This is very much my view. I wouldn’t want to have that conversation with anyone and I have said as much to my supervisor.

I am sympathetic to the supervisor and to the individuals especially if health issues are to blame however, there comes a point where it isn’t fair on the other office users and something must be done.

The person with the BO is in some ways easier to live with as at least we know what the smell is. The other one though, it’s like a mix of wet dog, anal glands, mothballs and vinegar. It stings the nostrils!

[24lemons]

JagLover said:

Nethybridge said:

I suppose it depends on the workplace square footage,
large expanse of open plan or teeny small offices ?
but how can a brace of oxters, however rank, permeate the
entire airspace of a work environment to the
point of people feeling ill ?

Come off !

I'm sorry, I think a fair amount of OCD outrage and exaggeration is at work here.
A good anecdote always requires a bit of embellishment on retelling.

Until you have encountered it then it may be hard to believe how bad it can be. In the example I gave think avoiding breathing when passing 12 feet away.

Up until a month ago, I wouldn’t have believed that one person could smell so bad as to contaminate an entire office but here we are. Sadly my desk adjoins both of the smelly people in question. I had a work with the site manager yesterday and he said she will be spoken to.

I won’t hold my breath (any more than I already am!)

[24lemons]

Well it appears Santa didn’t bring any cleaning products to my colleague sadly. She smells worse than ever and we all had a word with our supervisor again yesterday only to be given excuses about possible medical reasons.

According to colleagues who went to the Xmas dinner, where she was present, there was no smell at all so it appears that she can clean up when she wants to.

As I am sat on the next desk to her, what are my rights in this as I find it severely affects my ability to do my job. I am only new to to it as well and I need to concentrate as I’m still learning. I feel I cannot do this at present.