Office tips: How to tell coworkers they smell bad

By Helen Richardson

People can smell bad for different reasons. I think the easiest type of bad odor to deal with is when someone wears too much cologne or perfume. If you have a good relationship with the person, you can take them aside in private at some point and explain that you are very sensitive to odors or that you have an allergy problem. Tell them that you like their taste in perfume (even if you don’t) but that it is too strong and that you have a hard time concentrating because of it.

If you don’t have a good relationship with the person and their perfume is overwhelming, it might be a better idea to talk to someone in Human Resources or someone who is closer to the person and see if they will help you by talking to the person about it.

If the person smells bad because they have cigarette smoke on their clothing, you might leave a small sample of a product that removes the smell of smoke on or in their desk. There are products like Febreeze or Ozone that do a great job of getting rid of the smell of smoke on fabric.

If the problem is body odor, that is a much more delicate issue. For one thing, different cultures have different ideas about what people should smell like. In some cultures, people don’t bathe as often and they don’t use deodorant. If the person is from a different country or culture as you, you are treading on thin ice by saying something to them about their body odor. I personally would avoid addressing the person directly and would leave it up to a supervisor or the Human Resources staff to decide what the best course of action to take is.

If the person is from your country and your culture and just doesn’t seem to wear deodorant or bathe enough, it is still a difficult situation. Someone might not know that other people can smell their odor. And it is a fact that some people genetically have a tendency to generate an odor when they sweat that regular deodorants can’t cover up or prevent.

If you don’t know the person very well, a small sample of a good deodorant left inside their desk is a good way to send the message. Maybe to soften the blow, leave the a couple of pieces of candy or a small gift so the person knows that you have good intentions and you’re not trying to hurt them. You could even include an anonymous note saying that you care about them and that they will do better in their career and with customers if they use this kind of deodorant.

Its a very difficult, touchy thing to have to do, but if you work in an environment where everyone is close together and there isn’t a lot of fresh air flowing through, someone’s bad odor can ruin your whole day.

source: helium.com

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More Workers Quitting Their Jobs

In TV-land, people may get their hustle on, trying to impress a boss like Donald Trump. But in the real world, large numbers of Americans aren’t waiting around for someone to say: “You’re fired!” Instead, an increasing number of U.S. employees are quitting their jobs, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The Journal says that in February, the number of workers saying “I quit” surpassed the number of employees getting laid off — the first time that’s happened since October 2008.

The Journal reports that two main factors are at play. First, unlike during the peak of the recession, when jobs were more scarce and people worried more about job security, workers today seem to feel that they have more employment options. Therefore, there is some amount of natural turnover as people simply quit to pursue other opportunities, or resign because they get frustrated about not getting expected promotions.

Additionally, other people are quitting due to low morale. Scores of workers have watched their colleagues get pink slips. Then those same workers still on the job are often asked to do more work to pick up the slack. Apparently, a growing number of people are saying: “Thanks, but no thanks” and deciding to voluntarily leave those jobs.

source: ybpguide.com

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Survey: 45% of employers using Facebook to screen new hires

Social networking is increasingly becoming a way to obtain a new job. It’s also a way for your new boss to see who you really are. A new survey shows almost half of all employers are checking Facebook profiles during the hiring process.

CareerBuilder.com surveyed 2,667 Human Resource professionals. They found 45 per cent of employers use social networking sites when researching their potential employees. Mashable reports that among the big no-nos are those cute smiley faces; 14 per cent of employers frown on a quick 🙂  MarketWatch reports those surveyed use Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace most of the time to screen potentials. Fewer employers search for blog posts and Twitter.This knowledge can be beneficial to anyone looking for a job, as kKnowing what not to put online could give you an edge.The big turn-offs for those hiring are inappropriate photos, knowledge of drinking and drug use, dissing a former employer, lack of communication skills, discriminatory remarks and lies about skills and other qualifications. Employers also do not like to see potential employees who have shared private company information. People that do get hired tend to have a profile that gives their new company a true feel for their personality. Their profiles support their resumes qualifications and being creative is a plus when it comes to getting hired. Market Watch reports:

“Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications.”

source: digital journal

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