...Because hinting, complaining or spraying Oust on her would not likely get you the results you want. She'd still wear that perfume and you'd still have a headache.
According to boston.com's Business Etiquette advise column, you start with cornering her in private (check sexual-harassment guidelines of your company first so not to over-do things...)
Begin the conversation with these three things clearly emphasized:
- If the tables were turned, you hope she'd talk to you
- This is an incredibly difficult thing for you to do, but you believe it's important for her own success and for the success of the business
- And while it's an issue for you, you're concerned it could be an issue for others as well including clients and prospects
Whether you believe the above statements or not, it's important to keep things non-personal and business-like. If she tries to switch the subject to personalities, get the conversation back on the message.
Some companies might already have scent-in-the-workplace policies. That should make things simpler. If yours doesn't yet, try to make it sound like it does. "By making it a matter of policy, it ceases to be a personal issue between individuals," and less likely to get you punished for having an extra-sensitive smeller.
link: Manager's scent giving you a headache?
2 comments:
I liked this post. There are far too many instances when I'd like to de-stinkify others. Unfortunately, these people tend to be others on the subway, people I'm standing behind at a concert, etc. I wish there was a no smells policy attached to me at all times. Ridiculous sentence but true sentiment.
Thanks :) .
I usually just tell them. That's a lot of telling, btw, since most ppl in the hell-hole I live in prefer the scent of perfumed garbage, by the smell of it.
The summer is coming, we need a t-shirt that says "You people smell". That might get the message across.
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