Working life today is full of constantly evolving challenges and pitfalls. When is it OK to date a co-worker? Can you tell your team to get back into the office five days a week?
Whether you’re a baffled Boomer, a muddled millennial, or a confused Gen Z-er, our brilliant columnist Nicola Horlick can help.
Dear Nicola,
I am struggling to start a conversation with one of my team about his body odour. Not to beat about the bush, he stinks. He cycles to the office and doesn’t take a shower before starting work. In fact, I am beginning to wonder if he ever showers.
He is a classic middle-aged man in Lycra who obviously prides himself on his physique, but is oblivious to his odour.
The rest of the team complain, but even those who are his friends can’t somehow bring themselves to say something.
I can’t even imagine what clients think. But I fear the problem could cost us business. It’s up to me as boss to tackle this, but I don’t want to find myself in trouble with human resources. What do you suggest?
Yours, Felicity
Sweat smell of success: The rest of the team complain, but even those who are his friends can’t somehow bring themselves to say something
Dear Felicity,
I sympathise. It really is very difficult to deal with a problem like this. I once had a housekeeper who stank of body odour, and I was too chicken to tell her to deal with it. Eventually, our nanny spoke to her, and things improved radically.
It is different in a professional setting and so I would recommend that you speak to human resources and agree a plan.
I presume you have showers at your office. Not all offices do. If you don’t, where would he be able to go when he arrives on his bike? Is there a gym nearby? These are the sorts of questions you need to discuss with human resources.
It would be hard if there wasn’t a shower to try to prohibit your colleague from cycling to work, especially as there is an imperative for the whole country to get thinner and fitter. If there isn’t a shower, perhaps you could provide flannels, shower gel and towels in the loos so he can have a basin wash.
As the leader of the team, it is definitely up to you to try to sort this out. If it is affecting your colleagues and may be impinging on clients, now is the time to act. With the help of human resources, you should be able to resolve it.
I wish you the best of luck.
Yours, Nicola
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