Work Advice: Scents and sensibilities

Reader: I have a very awkward situation: My supervisor of two years smells. Though I'm not particularly sensitive to smells, I had to rush to the bathroom during a recent meeting because I became ill. All my colleagues notice it, and one also has become ill. Spraying body spray in the air or on my sleeve no longer helps.

I'm not sure if my supervisor's odor is due to hygiene or a medical problem. But I need to raise this issue as I cannot meet with my supervisor without becoming ill.

Our HR department is in another state, and I think this should be dealt with face-to-face.

I can talk to my supervisor's supervisor, but I need advice on how to start this conversation and what, if anything, I can do if management is unwilling or unable to take action.

Karla: Even though HR is off-site, that's where you should start. Good HR professionals know how to be diplomatic and discreet while remaining mindful of legal boundaries -- and they've probably encountered this issue before.

Amy Maingault, director of the Knowledge Center at the Society for Human Resource Management, recommends you acknowledge upfront that your issue is awkward and may seem petty, but that it's affecting morale and performance. Then state the problem simply: Your supervisor has a strong body odor that makes you want to avoid face-to-face interactions. You have observed similar reactions among your co-workers. Ask someone from HR to visit the office to verify your complaint and to discuss the issue directly and confidentially with your supervisor.

If that's not possible, HR should contact your supervisor's boss -- who surely has noticed the smell -- to report the problem and to advise on how to address it appropriately.

Maingault says whoever ends up initiating this unpleasant conversation should "be frank, gentle and make guidance available" -- and should speak from firsthand observation, not hurtful hearsay: "I have observed that you have a strong body odor. To maintain the highest level of professionalism, it is important that you address this right away." Then that person should ask whether the supervisor can resolve the problem alone or needs some suggestions on where to start. That gives the supervisor an opportunity to bring up any medical conditions. Incidentally, this talk will probably go over better with someone who is the same gender as the supervisor.

In the interim, when you can't distance yourself through e-mail, phone or telecommuting, try a dab of Vicks VapoRub or essential oils under your nostrils, or a strong menthol lozenge. With luck, the air will clear before you have to permanently distance yourself.