Over-use of cologne/perfume in the workplace

[TigerLilly]

Do you work with someone who takes a bath in their perfume/cologne? How do you handle it?

Continued from a nearly highjacked thread...sorry, Cindiloohoo

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=425424&p=15 (post #148)

KuntryGirl & CityGirl (how funny!)--no, I haven't talked to hr about it--yet. I know the procedure. I am trying to give her a chance to see the error of her ways. She is new to the agency; no excuse, but I prefer to try to handle it on a 1-on-1 level for now. Like I said, so far, I have been fortunate enough not to have to work with her. If it comes up again, when the duty assingments are read out to us, I plan on telling the supervisor that I can not work with her & relay the story to them. I will also let them know that my next step is to formally put it on paper, forwarding it up the chain of command & cc'ing HR. I've been there 9 years & am not about to let some rookie think I'm someone to trifle with.

That being said, I also suffer from migraines. My biggest triggers on that are flourescent lighting, some foods/drinks & scents (but scents mostly affect my asthma).

 

[debilorrah]

Yes, and I told her right to her face she was giving me asthma attacks. She didn't stop so I told her I was telling her boss. She still didn't stop, so I did go to her boss. It was patchouli oil and it was GROSS.

 

[TigerLilly]

Sorry, but I LOVE patchouli...it has a 'soft' smell...but that's just me. My problem seems to be with the flowery type of perfumes that are 'loud'--if that makes sense?
I am also affected by heavy cinnamon smells (pine cones at Christmas), cleaning chemicals, etc.

So what did the boss do?

 

[noodleroo]

I am the boss in my office and I just tell anyone new that we all hate strong perfume. As long as we can't smell it, they can wear it. If we can smell it, they will be taken out back and beaten

. Haven't had a problem so far...

 

[Ironmaiden]

I saw an article somewhere...hmmmm....can't remember where now..about his very same thing. Maybe it was MSN's home page. I printed it out and put it on her chair. Amazingly, the over-cologne stopped. I would think she would want to fit in, being a rookie, and would take a hint!

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
I would love to do that, even though I'm not a boss, but unfortunately, at my place of employment that would cause ME to get in trouble, even if I said it jokingly & SHE got offended....

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
This girl has been told TO HER FACE by me & a couple of other co-workers about her perfume...I don't think an article would make a bit of difference to her.
As far as her fitting in, you would think that would be the case, but apparently she doesn't care. She's one of the younger (though not the youngest) females we have working with us, so maybe her age plays into it, idk.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Patchouli is fine if you don't dive into a vat of it before coming to work

The boss told her to stop wearing it. It's been months and I can still tell when she is in the office.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

TigerLilly~ No worries on the near hijack!

I have been known to accidentally steer a few off course as well...severely so actually, so no biggie

Lots of smells give me a bit of a headache...our gas log fireplace does it for me every time. Not only am I stuck in the house with it, but it is usually running because we have no power...it's usually pretty miserable existence for me.

I guess I'd rather have a headache than be frozen to death though

If I COULD get away from it...I would, so I know how you feel.

 

[Kassaundra]

Heavy perfume/cologne use is a big health problem for me, it triggers huge asthma attacks in me. Also most cleaners, spray deoderants, spray anti cling.... etc. I don't have to tolerate it at work, I work in the health field and thankfully most people I work with don't wear it to work. My problem is church. I am young, healthy, and active but have to listen by phone like an old house bound person it is frustrating. People need to think about how much they are wearing and the many differant sources they are wearing at a time.