I’m off at the moment. This was initially revealed in 2017.
A reader writes:
I take pleasure in carrying fragrance, however have a tendency to stay to indie oil scents, for the reason that odor tends to stay nearer to my pores and skin (so, in concept, I don’t trouble my coworkers) and likewise as a result of I appear to be delicate to the alcohol that a variety of spray perfumes use. I additionally have a tendency to make use of unscented deodorant and laundry detergent; I actually dislike how “chemical-y” scented merchandise like this are usually.
A couple of month in the past, considered one of my coworkers informed me that the fragrance I used to be carrying bothered her. I work carefully along with her, so I instantly apologized and washed it off, and haven’t worn any of my fragrance since. I don’t have an enormous wardrobe, so most if not all of my office-appropriate garments have been washed since then, so I’m fairly positive that there are not any lingering traces hanging on.
My downside is that this coworker is now complaining consistently concerning the fragrance I’m not carrying! She even went to my supervisor, who pulled me apart and requested me about issues like deodorant and bathtub merchandise. I’ve tried to elucidate to my coworker that principally nothing I take advantage of is scented anymore, however she makes exaggerated sniffing noises and says issues like, “Oh, patchouli AGAIN?” after I get close to her. (Once more, I’m not carrying ANY fragrance, my deodorant is unscented, I bathe each morning and my physique wash is calmly lemon scented and doesn’t stick round.) It’s reached the purpose the place it appears like juvenile bullying and I actually don’t know what to do.
Do 4 issues:
1. Cease utilizing the lemon-scented physique wash for a couple of days and see if she retains making the feedback. It’s potential that it’s lingering in a means that you just don’t understand. And if the feedback don’t cease, then you may legitimately say that you’ve got reduce out all scented merchandise and it hasn’t modified something.
2. Say this to the coworker: “Jane, because you raised this situation, I’ve stopped carrying any scented merchandise to work, and I’ve washed all of my work garments in unscented laundry detergent. There shouldn’t be any fragrances lingering round. I can’t consider the rest that I can do. Is there one thing else you’re hoping I’ll strive? If not, I would like you to cease commenting about one thing that I can’t do something about. At this level, it appears like I’m being harassed for fragrances that I’m not carrying and I would like you to cease.”
You may additionally say, “In the event you’re affected by perfume sensitivity, it’s best to discuss to (supervisor) or HR about what lodging they will provide. However I would like you to cease the fixed feedback about me.”
3. Say this to your boss: “Ever since Jane talked about a month in the past {that a} fragrance I used to be carrying bothered her, I’ve made a giant effort to make sure I’m not carrying something scented round her. I’ve stopped carrying fragrance, have switched to unscented deodorant, and I wash my garments in unscented detergent. And naturally I bathe each day. But each time she’s close to me she complains concerning the fragrances she says I’m carrying. I’m not, and I’ve informed her I’m not. I’m undecided what else I can do. I’ve requested her to cease, and I’d wish to ask you to intervene if it continues, as a result of it’s changing into disruptive, and admittedly at this level her continued complaints are beginning to really feel like harassment.”
(To be clear, this doesn’t sound like harassment within the authorized sense — that may must be based mostly on race, intercourse, faith, or one other protected attribute — nevertheless it’s actually harassing within the colloquial sense.)
4. In case your coworker continues the feedback after these conversations, then at that time, say this: “Clearly this isn’t one thing we will resolve on our personal. Ought to we go discuss to (supervisor) or HR collectively and resolve this as soon as and for all?”
After which do this, as a result of it’s affordable for you to not wish to be subjected to this. Even when she has official perfume sensitivities — and a few folks do, though it’s not clear if that’s actually what’s occurring along with her or not — this isn’t the way in which for her to deal with it.
2017 be aware to commenters: There have been a great deal of ideas beneath for added methods the letter-writer may deal with potential scents and stamp them out. I’m going to ask that we cease with these ideas now and as a substitute deal with how she ought to take care of the coworker, which I feel shall be extra useful to her. At this level, the problem is that she has a coworker who’s being impolite and snarky to her, not that she ought to simply cease utilizing bubble bathtub on weekends or so forth.
2024 be aware to readers: You’ll wish to learn the replace to this one.
