Nosy co-worker makes a stink
My workplace, like many others, is “scent-free” because of the possibility that some employees might be chemically sensitive. We don’t know of anyone with sensitivities, but it’s company policy.
I changed to using unscented laundry soap and stopped wearing perfume when the policy started.
The other day, a lady in my office came in and announced loudly that there was a “terrible perfume smell” in the corridor. After what I think was intrusive sniffing, she decided it was coming from me.
I had showered that morning and the only things it could have been were my shampoo, hair spray or body soap. All are normal, everyday brands, not unusually perfumy ones.
There was a lot of complaining and a “reminder” of the policy. It’s unlikely that HR would take this up, but am I obligated to change these products? I don’t HOROSCOPE
(March 21-April 19). Taking care of small details will bring disproportionately substantial satisfaction. Tonight: More good things happen when you just say yes.
(April 20-May 20). There are a lot of things about your life that you cannot instantly change. That’s why it’s so satisfying today to change what you can. This will have to do with something in your environment, or on your person.
(May 21-June 21). There may be a clash between what is said and the attitude with which it is said. Believe the strongest indicator. Sometimes it will be words; sometimes it will be deeds. Which seems more prevalent?
(June 22-July 22). When wishful thinking is dashed, this sets off a minor mourning process. Face it; feel it, and the pain will quickly resolve itself. Mourning is natural; it’s just healing at a different tempo. This won’t take long, and you’ll be stronger for it.
(July 23-Aug. 22). Think back on past pain and even your best recollection will be a distortion, courtesy of your mental defenses. Don’t let this illusion trick you into going in for another round of what you know isn’t good for you.
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A line will be drawn. Is it a path to follow — or a barrier that is not to be crossed? You’ll be answering such questions and making decisions about the path that’s best for you.
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You sometimes feel like a child pretending to be a professional instead of the pro you are. Rest assured: This is common. want to because this feels like it’s going too far to dictate what soap I can use. I should be able to choose the basic products I put on my body.
I’m also unhappy with the “sniff police.” What should I do if she does that again?
— Perfume Smell In St. Paul
If it happens again, go to HR and have them explain the policy. I suspect that what it refers to is perfume, which some people are allergic to.
If it’s for more than that, however, then I agree the policy is heavy-handed and needs to be clarified so that everyone can clearly understand it.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Most of your colleagues have felt the same way at one time or another.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Quiet confidence will be your hallmark today. You’re the sign of mystery, privacy and intrigue. With stoic solidity you will command a full and serious quality of attention today.
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Who is your audience? Target your market. Know what impact you want to create and on whom. Once you figure this out, there are many choices that will become very easy for you to make.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Listen to what people say when they tell you about themselves. On a related note, there are many secrets that will hide in plain view today. You’re awake, and so you’ll learn.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll revel in the attention of a person who really gets you. Try to take this connection in a creative direction. It will be fun to make things with someone who has a similar aesthetic or at least appreciates yours.
(Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll keep a cool head while you put out one fire after another. You don’t want to continue spending your days like this, and that’s why you need to figure out who the “arsonist” is.
(May 29). Your brightest ideas will be totally unrelated to what you were searching for. Lucky numbers are 1, 6, 30, 22 and 16. 8 12 13 14 16 17 19 21 22 23 25 27 31 35 36 38 39 41 43 44 46 48 49 51 53 55 56 Blossoms-to-be Panorama Soprano’s piece Hill or Loos — fixe Doofus Countless Wing-tip tip — Stanley Gardner Guzzle Faint praise Delicious fungus Fragrant shrubs Resistance unit Globe substitute Perry’s secretary Membership fees Ricochets Regard as Muse of poetry Take in a stray Beret What the Vikings did Isolated Tells tales Lalique or Descartes In a frenzy 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 Jetty Helen, in Spain Astrologers of yore What the walls have? Starfleet journals Did a smith’s job P.O. service DOWN 1 A — sum 2 Go off course 3 Off bottom, as an anchor Playgrounds Dernier — “— Misbehavin” Little Richard’s hometown Comic-book thud With the skin on Fashion name Mil. plane Vigor’s partner Cheetah, actually Eye, to Pierre Mystique Welk offering El — Campeador Internet hookup 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 18 20 24 26 27 5-29-17 28 29 30 32 33 34 37 40 42 45 47 Lieutenant under Kirk Political ploy Motel staffers Comic-strip queen Lucid “Swing and Sway” Kaye Bwana’s track Pursuing prey Dazzling Yes, to Miss Piggy Minuscule 52 54 56 57 58 60 62 63 64 66 67 It may be lost Beds of coal Crack pilot Indoor bazaar Dairy-case buy Pharaoh’s creator god Singer Edith — Collies do it Almost-grads — -relief Id companion