Coworkers with bad B.O.
How do you guys deal with coworkers with bad body odor? There’s a guy in in my company that I hate having to talk to since he has such bad B.O. I’m not the only one who’s even commented on this other coworkers have said this too about other coworkers who are of Indian background seem to have the same situation with the bad B.O. In situations like that what can you do? Like should I just be upfront and tell him he smells or what? And would that be rude? Like I feel I have to walk on eggshells since he’s not the only guy with an Indian background with bad B.O., so maybe it’s a cultural thing and if I say something that’s being offense? Any tips or help guys on what I can do? Or should I just suck it up and hold my breath when I talk to him.
This impacts your productivity and your health. That’s why companies outlawed perfume and stuff like that. You should have an anonymous line to make complaints or write an anonymous note and leave it in On your coworkers desk
Yeah it’s more like a musty smell not really perfume. We have an anonymous box but HR never really checks it. I heard they lost the key to the box.
Indian here, is he FOB ? You can bring it up in a conversation about antiperspirants casually over coffee or lunch.
What’s a FOB, and I guess I could say something along the lines of how I love febreeze... or would that not be too subtle?
Fob = fresh off the boat
Do Indians notice when some one near them smells? Do non Indians smell funny to Indians?
Sure. I have smelled too much of AXE from interns, Bulgari from sales guys and bad breath from most Asians(first generation).
Indian here, yes a lot of Indians have BO problems. And the rest of us , who maintain our hygiene and don’t smell bad are equally annoyed by it. So I think you should just tell your coworker directly or leave a note on his desk because he might not get your subtle hints.
Is it a culture thing? I think the note might be a good idea. I feel confronting him about it might get me in some HR fiasco.
It is not a cultural thing, the weather conditions in India is very hot and humid, so their bodies get used to perspiring certain amount(if they are FOB). I have seen this problem mostly in people coming from southern parts of India.
Leave gum and cologne in his desk drawer. Some people don't get it, and don't know. No one wants to be smelly to others. As long as it's approached in a way that doesn't publicly embarrass, it should be fine.
This is natural part of the body, you need to accept it. Keeping body odor free only benefits companies that sell body wash
I can’t accept feeling disgusted and sick while being in the office. Is it too much to ask people to shower and take care of their hygiene?
How about benefitting the coworkers who sit next to you and are constantly gagging when you are around? Deodorant is not expensive when you're likely making 100k+ TC
People on here saying OP should accept it 😂 I think this is why some companies have a laundry perk. I’ve heard stories where complaining to HR helped. They’re better at dealing with awkward situations like this. If that doesn’t help, then bring it up in their review, falls under “difficult to work with”.
It seems very common amongst the group you mentioned. Are they working so hard that they don’t have time to shower? Fremont line BART is one place to experience this. You should let HR know directly. Don’t hesitate. You are helping the person too.
And don't think it's a gender issue.. I was gagging with a few of our vendors because of BO.. Same with bad breathe with Asians especially post food.. Personally I love LATAM that way.. The entire office was in restroom flossing and brushing post lunch.. Definitely a sensitive topic probably best broached by HR and manager in a subtle way..
Just suck it up - eventually you'll get used to it and maybe learn to like it
Lol gross