One of your coworkers has a strong and annoying body odor? If you want to raise the issue with him, try having a private chat and helping him work out the problem. Although it is necessary to be honest, keep your sensibilities! If your position is high enough, or if you work in the HR management division, generally the confrontation process will be easier. Want to know the full tips? Read on for this article!
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Method 1 of 3: Discussing the Problem
Step 1. Understand the position
To confront a coworker in a positive way, you first need to try to put yourself in his shoes. If a similar situation happened to you, of course you want to be told in an honest but not offensive way, right? By understanding his perspective, it will be easier for you to position yourself in the conversation.
Step 2. Have him talk privately
To prevent coworkers from feeling even more embarrassed, try talking to them in a private location. If your position in the office is quite high, try talking to him in your room. If you're just a regular employee like him, try pulling him into the kitchen or another empty room so that the two of you don't overhear your conversation.
To get him to talk privately, try asking, "Can you talk for a minute?" or “Do you have time to chat for a bit?”
Step 3. Start the conversation with a compliment
Doing so can lighten the mood and prevent coworkers from acting aggressively after hearing your confession. However, make sure you only give honest and sincere compliments! If his performance in the office is not good, do not praise his professional abilities. Try to find compliments that are genuinely genuine and relevant.
For example, try saying, “You are a hard worker and therefore very valuable on our team.”
Step 4. Give the impression that you are on his side
Before bringing up the issue of body odor, understand that the topic is bound to make him uncomfortable. Since you still have to bring it up, at least give the impression that you're on his side and have sympathy for him so he doesn't rush to take offense.
For example, start by saying, “Ugh, this is going to sound weird. I hope you're not offended, but…”
Step 5. Be as honest and straightforward as possible
Don't make ambiguous comments about "body hygiene". More than likely, he'll think you're asking him to brush his teeth more often to keep his breath smelling good. To avoid misunderstandings, try to convey your complaint in a straightforward and honest manner, but remain polite.
- For example, you might say, "You don't seem to have a good smell lately, do you?"
- Don't admit to hearing the same complaints from your other coworkers. Of course you don't want to embarrass him even more, do you?
Step 6. Ask if your coworker is aware of his body odor problem
After addressing the issue in an explicit but polite way, try to find out if your co-worker is aware of the issue as well. If he claims to know about it and is experiencing it because he has a certain health problem, thank him for having the courage to tell you the truth.
For example, try asking, "You're also aware of this problem, aren't you?" or “Has anyone told you yet?” If he thinks the body odor is due to a medical condition, you can say, "Oh, sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know, okay? I won't go into that again."
Method 2 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Give some possible reasons behind the problem and their solutions
Often, a person does not realize that his body smells bad. If your co-worker is like that, it's only natural that he can't find the right solution to the problem. Therefore, try to help him by providing various factors that might be behind the problem along with relevant recommendations to overcome them.
For example, you could say, Maybe your clothes need to be washed more often. Or try it, you shower more often from now on."
Step 2. Report the matter to your boss
If your coworker isn't willing to make any meaningful changes after being confronted, try raising the issue in front of your boss. Generally, this method can work much more effectively and profitably!
Step 3. Apply pressure if necessary
If your position in the office is quite important, try to "force" the coworker to always come to the office clean and fragrant. Do this especially if he seems defensive or even aggressive when told. Remind him that bad body odor can have a negative impact on business development and potentially damage his relationships with other coworkers.
For example, try saying, "Our office has a policy that requires every employee to come to the office clean, fragrant, and fresh."
Method 3 of 3: Reducing Bad Odors
Step 1. Try moving to another cubicle or table, if possible
If that's not possible, at least try to find a way to minimize the time you spend with the coworker. For example, try offering to work on another project that will allow you to get away from a smelly coworker.
Step 2. Disguise coworkers' body odors with the scent of aromatherapy candles or air fresheners
Aromatherapy candles are a powerful tool to get rid of various unpleasant odors around you. In addition to candles, you can also spray air freshener in your workspace or install an automatic air freshener that will spray fragrance at certain time intervals.
Step 3. Turn on the fan and point it towards you
Doing so is effective in improving air circulation around you and disguising the unpleasant body odor of coworkers. Try applying this method to free yourself for a moment from the body odor of coworkers at the office!
