We have an employee that has an issue with Hygiene. She is a sales associate so it is critical that she looks nice and smells good!
At first I thought it was just me noticing the stink but I have had numerous other employees complaining of a STRONG ODER coming from DOWN BELOW.
It is horrible and a horribly uncomfortable subject! I have heard the employee had been spoken to at her previous job a few times so she has been made aware before and still done nothing!
How do I approach it?

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Originally Posted by 1228

We have an employee that has an issue with Hygiene. She is a sales associate so it is critical that she looks nice and smells good!
At first I thought it was just me noticing the stink but I have had numerous other employees complaining of a STRONG ODER coming from DOWN BELOW.
It is horrible and a horribly uncomfortable subject! I have heard the employee had been spoken to at her previous job a few times so she has been made aware before and still done nothing!!
How do I approach it?

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Are you her Supervisor or co worker?

My husband and I own the company, we had noticed it before but were not sure if everyone noticed and did not know how to approach it. We were aproached by a few other employees about it and I need to do something. Everyone can smell it, that means when she is out on the job other people will beable to as well. This is a reflection on our product. (it is not food related)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1228

My husband and I own the company, we had noticed it before but were not sure if everyone noticed and did not know how to approach it. we were aproached by a few other employees about it and I need to do something. Everyone can smell it, that means when she is out on the job other people will beable to as well. this is a reflection on our product. (it is not food related)

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Then I think you have to sit her down and talk to her about the problem. Tell her what you've noticed, see if it's some sort of physical problem, lack of hygiene and be frank. I'd be prepared for a not very good reaction from her (I would guess this will hard info for her to accept).

I always think honesty is best. Maybe she can/will do something, maybe not.

I had a similar problem with an employee - it was a man with BO. When I spoke to him, I tried to be gentle by saying "I'm sure you are showering every day, but I don't think that your deodorant is strong enough" - I actually don't think he was showering daily or using deodorant. Then I suggested a particular brand name to him, saying my boyfriend found that brand to work very well.

It was an uncomfortable talk, but the problem was fixed.