QUESTION:
How do I discuss body odor hygiene concerns with an employee?
ANSWER:
This is never easy.
Discussing hygiene with employees can be challenging, but it’s crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity and professionalism. Here are some tips on addressing employee hygiene:
- Be discreet: When discussing hygiene concerns, ensure that the conversation takes place in a private setting to avoid embarrassing the employee.
- Be specific: Clearly explain the issue and provide specific examples of the hygiene concerns. Avoid making general statements or assumptions.
- Be empathetic: Show understanding and support by acknowledging that the employee may not be aware of the issue or might be facing personal challenges affecting their hygiene.
- Offer solutions: Provide guidance on how to improve personal hygiene and share resources or information that might help the employee address the issue.
Also, remember that body odor can be a medical issue that cannot be solved with a shower. Here is some great guidance for dealing with this issue: https://askjan.org/disabilities/Body-Odor.cfm
Here is a podcast we did on this topic a few years ago. It’s 18 minutes and full of good info. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-discuss-body-odor-with-a-difficult-employee/id1003412282?i=1000428305115
I hope this helps!
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