jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jul 30, 2014 20:10:39 GMT
I know this has been discussed ad nauseam, but I just don't understand why a person feels the need to drown themselves in stinky perfume and pollute the air with their stink. I would much rather smell body odor than this woman's perfume. I'm getting nauseous from the smell and am ready to talk to her about it, but how do you tactfully say their perfume is making you sick? I was thinking about going to HR and letting them deal with it, but we're all adults here and I should hopefully be able to do it myself without ticking her off. Any advice would be appreciated!  |
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Post by krispin41 on Jul 30, 2014 20:13:01 GMT
I would still go to HR...that's part of their job.
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Post by sues on Jul 30, 2014 20:17:35 GMT
Ack! I feel for you. I have no sense of smell, but when someone is wearing a lot of cologne, I can taste it. Blecch. It usually gives me an instant headache and occasionally an asthma attack. Fun stuff.
I'm not sure how I'd go about talking to her about it- except to sit down and say "I was wondering if I can talk to you about something..." and then let her know that cologne affects you adversely. Ask if she could stop wearing it to work and tell her you'd appreciate it very much.
Easier said than done though, I know. I hate confrontation.
Do you know if your office has a rule about cologne? I think many offices do, now. If your office does, you may want to throw that info into your conversation. Like a 'heads-up'.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jul 30, 2014 20:22:51 GMT
I work for startup so there basically are no rules, it's like the Wild West in my office. LOL I talked to my manager about it briefly and he said I should definitely let HR handle it. He said he knows I would speak to her politely about it, but some people are very sensitive and she may take what I say wrong, which totally makes sense. I usually don't mind confrontation but this one is a toughy!  |
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Post by krc11 on Jul 30, 2014 20:26:46 GMT
Good luck.
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Jul 30, 2014 20:29:28 GMT
I agree with your manager. HR stuff is so touchy these days. If you say something directly to her, she may go to HR and complain that you are creating a hostile work environment or trying to bully her or whatever. HR may suggest you speak with her yourself before anyone intervenes but at least you have it on record what the issue is from your viewpoint. If they want you to approach the person, make sure you ask for some tips on what to say, etc. Life in the workplace is all about CYA.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jul 30, 2014 20:57:38 GMT
ChicagoKTS Amen! CYA all the way. My manager did go on to say this (we were chatting via IM because he's in a different office): "you should totally fart right next to her desk and say, 'How do you like that?'" He's such a goof. I love my manager like the brother I never wanted.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 30, 2014 21:45:17 GMT
<-----HR here, I've had to have the tough conversations about too much perfume, stinky food in the workplace, body odor, foot odor.....gross, gross and more gross.
I can honestly say - some people have no sense of themselves - nor can clue in when others are affected by them.
Most companies these days have policies about such things. I'd have a conversation with your HR rep about the issue.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 30, 2014 21:46:19 GMT
Uh..just saw your info about it being a start up. Is there someone working on policies and/or a handbook?
Great suggestion at what to include if that is in the works!
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jul 30, 2014 21:47:59 GMT
Many workplaces have a "scent-free" environment due to allergies.
This is a way of saying 'keep your stinky perfume at home because it makes me sick' in a kinder way. |
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Jul 30, 2014 22:00:15 GMT
I work for startup so there basically are no rules, it's like the Wild West in my office. LOL Made me LOL about the Wild West! But I'm sorry for your pain.  The only scent I really can't stand is BRUTE men's cologne, and patchouli. |
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 2:18:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 22:00:55 GMT
You absolutely have my sympathy. Strong perfumes can be awful.
My DH and I recently did a tour of the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery in the Frankfort/Lawrenceburg, Ky. area and there was a woman on the tour whose perfume actually overwhelmed the smell of the mash in the mash area (I don't remember what the heck that area was called) Absolutely nauseating and I normally don't have a problem with perfumes/colognes. I moved about 10 feet away and realized that everyone else was about 15 or 20 feet further away from her than I was. Her male companion kept trying to get her leave the tour, told her that her perfume was causing problems and she said that she didn't care, she paid a lot of money for the perfume and she would wear as much as she wanted. By the time the tour reached the 'sampling' area, there were 6 people of the original 18 left according to my DH. I left since I had an upset stomach and eyes were watering. |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jul 30, 2014 22:12:21 GMT
I spoke to the HR rep in my office and she said she's talked to the offender before about it (others have complained). I would not want to be in HR dealing with this! kimpossible - you HR reps have my utmost respect! I could never do your job. |
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 30, 2014 22:44:27 GMT
Yep - I know its a "stinky" job, but someone has to do it!  |
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garcia5050
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Post by garcia5050 on Jul 30, 2014 23:57:17 GMT
You absolutely have my sympathy. Strong perfumes can be awful.
My DH and I recently did a tour of the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery in the Frankfort/Lawrenceburg, Ky. area and there was a woman on the tour whose perfume actually overwhelmed the smell of the mash in the mash area (I don't remember what the heck that area was called) Absolutely nauseating and I normally don't have a problem with perfumes/colognes. I moved about 10 feet away and realized that everyone else was about 15 or 20 feet further away from her than I was. Her male companion kept trying to get her leave the tour, told her that her perfume was causing problems and she said that she didn't care, she paid a lot of money for the perfume and she would wear as much as she wanted. What a sense of entitlement. That is terrible. I have several female coworkers who smoke, then try to hide the cigarette smell with a gallon of perfume. I'm talking morning break, lunch, and afternoon break. I'm not sensitive to smells but other co workers are. |
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Post by *Scrapper*Stamper* on Jul 31, 2014 0:29:00 GMT
I absolutely and positively love White Diamond, have a huge bottle. However I think that just one spray is very overwhelming and cannot wear it. Sorry you have to deal with those not respectful of others.
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Post by smokeynspike on Jul 31, 2014 0:36:46 GMT
I had a coworker who doused herself after smoking. Ewww. Then you just smell like someone who smokes AND wears too much perfume! Gross.
Melissa
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 2:18:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 0:38:06 GMT
As long as it's not patchouli I'd probably be okay. Sorry you're going through this. I'm not sure what I'd do. Light a match maybe - subtle hint? Idk. Good luck.
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Post by omarakbt on Jul 31, 2014 0:45:54 GMT
I agree with letting HR handle it. And it should come out as a memo that applies to everyone... that in a place of business scents should be kept to a minimum.
The rules need to apply to everyone and should come across as being for the welfare of the whole, HR's position
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Post by mztfied on Jul 31, 2014 0:57:09 GMT
Went to my doctors office last week. There was a very old lady in there that had on a ton of Este Lauder. Do you remember how strong that smell is? Overpowering is the word. When this woman was in her 60's I'm sure that this scent was the cats meow.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 31, 2014 1:04:16 GMT
I feel for you. My co-worker wears lotion that makes my nose stop up and I can't breathe. Uggh!
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Post by salem on Jul 31, 2014 1:07:41 GMT
Ugh. Nothing hides the smell of smoke and most perfumes make me gag. The combination means a full speed migraine and the need to escape the room. I work in a cubicle where my back is to a heavily traveled walkway that all the smokers take to go outside about a hundred times a day. It's like a fog of smoke hangs over them and there are a couple that must think the perfume hides it because they just reek when they walk by.
We also have a couple of ladies that spritz (soak) themselves down in the bathroom. It's gross. 
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Post by Penellopy on Jul 31, 2014 1:41:18 GMT
I had a coworker who doused herself after smoking. Ewww. Then you just smell like someone who smokes AND wears too much perfume! Gross. Melissa We had this same thing going on but no one could figure out which cheap perfume she was using. Turns out, she was using cranberry Febreeze. Now that is nasty! |
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eastcoastpea
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Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 31, 2014 4:10:22 GMT
It grosses me out when people wear overwhelming scents. It really bothers me when you're at an event and must check your coat in and your coat ends up smelling like perfume/cigarettes/mothballs.
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Post by shevy on Jul 31, 2014 4:24:15 GMT
I had a coworker who sprayed herself with some BBW spray everytime she went to the bathroom. She said she did it so people didn't know when she pooped at work. She was angry when I finally asked her to use another scent. But man, my sinus' would ache by the end of some days.
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,427
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Post by tanya2 on Jul 31, 2014 4:27:37 GMT
my workplace is scent free (thankfully!). I hated it when I first started there, but now 7 years later I find it has made me so sensitive to smells that I can't tolerate anything too strong
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 31, 2014 4:48:43 GMT
I would go to HR and let them handle it.
But, I feel for you. I hate overly strong perfume.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 31, 2014 6:50:19 GMT
Small thread hijack, congrats LavenderLayoutLady, I see you're throbbing again.
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Post by totravel on Aug 1, 2014 6:30:36 GMT
UGH! When I was working I found heavy perfume and body odor/lack of hygiene made the work environment so stressful...especially in staff meetings in a small conference room with no ventilation!! Hope your HR handles this quickly.  |
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Post by lesserknownpea on Aug 1, 2014 7:02:30 GMT
At church last nigh I was behind a woman with some scent that bothered me very much. Makes my head hurt. We've had announcements about scents, but some people either don't think it is actually a problem, or forget.
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