Smelly offices
Do you suffer in silence or put up a stink?
Ever been nauseated by the smell of a co-worker?
If so, you’re not alone in your suffering.
Some 63 percent of U.S. workers have smelled offensive odors in the workplace— from pungent food to overpowering fragrances to desktop candles, incense and flowers.
That’s according to a recent survey of 1,011 employees sniffed out by OfficeTeam, a company of Menlo, California-based Robert Half staffing firm.
Plenty of my friends on Facebook have endured workspaces that reeked.
Eddie Garner had a coworker who wore too much aftershave. Susan Simpson recalls stinky smokers. A former TV advertising saleswoman said many a morning she was greeted by a “disgusting” garlic smell in the kitchen area from the dinners of overnight staff.
Meanwhile, Mary Green Smith is turned off by the overwhelming smell of popped popcorn, “especially if it’s even slightly burned.”
According to the survey, only 32 percent of sufferers— twice as many men as women (43 percent compared with 22 percent)— have put up a stink, either confronting the person (17 percent) or asking a manager or human resources to intervene (15 percent). Most suffer in silence.
Maria Schoelen Cornwell said she simply breathes through her mouth when she passes by some people — the same method she employs when she changes her grandson’s diapers.
Other friends have done more than hold their noses. Charlie Brockman once handed a co-worker a bar of soap and can of deodorant. Carol VanStavern keeps peppermint oil at her desk on days that the stink is unbearable. And Laura Johnson Redmon’s husband, who was allergic to many scents and managed a two-person office, told job applicants upfront that his was a scent-free office.
Scent-free workplaces
Nineteen percent of respondents to the OfficeTeam survey said their companies have scent-free policies.
Amber Mings, branch manager for OfficeTeam in Oklahoma City, admits workplace odors aren’t a new concern. “But it may come up more often as open workspaces and bringing lunch to the office become more common,” she said.
Mings said OfficeTeam has local clients that even ban strong laundry detergent due to fragrance sensitivities and employee allergies.
Oklahoma City human resources expert Gayla Sherry said company scent-free policies generally will include language about employees refraining from any offensive odors, whether the odor is from perfume, cologne, aftershave, too much garlic at lunch, or any other odor that’s distracting.
“Sensitivity to scents and smells can be a disability, such as asthma,” Sherry said. “In these cases, complaints may require handling according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Mings encourages employers to swiftly address what may seem like minor offenses before they become major disturbances. “If a manager feels that a worker’s odor is distracting colleagues or negatively affecting their productivity, he or she should take the individual aside to discuss the matter,” she said.
“As for employees, keep in mind that any form of workplace conduct could have an effect on your reputation,” Mings said. “Strong odors may cause your colleagues to avoid you or perceive you as inconsiderate,” she said.
“Versus confronting a colleague about strong smells, it’s best to let it go, unless it’s really distracting,” Mings said.
“If it’s a colleague you’re close to, you might consider gently telling him or her about the issue,” she said. “If you’re uncomfortable confronting the person, you can bring it up with your manager or the individual’s supervisor instead,” she said.