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Employee smells

Sent to Health Experts March 15 2006 at 5:53 PM
   

I have an employee who smells bad. She is a great person and employee. I think she would be extremely embarrassed so I'm not sure how to approach her. It has been so bad some days that I have gagged. I know other employees have noticed it because most of them now have scented candles, except her. She is heavy but it's not body odor, it's something even more personal and I am her male supervisor. Help.

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Male , Age: 50

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Nothing.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
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March 15 2006 at 6:01 PM (8 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
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Hello

As her supervisor, you will have to be the one to talk to her. I know this is difficult, because I've had to do it in the past as well. The best bet is to get her in private, and start with compliments about her work quality and personality. Tell her that no one wants to offend her, but that you want to help her succeed.

You can suggest she have a physical if she hasn't lately to rule out causes for the odor. You don't have to say it's a private odor, but that she has a noticeable odor about her.

There is no easy way, but you can do it without offending her too bad. End with complimenting her again. And reassure her that you are there for her if she needs to take time off to have it investigated.

Kerry



Kerry, RN
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