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Subject:RE: OFF-TOPIC question about an office thing From:"Yvette, Denoga" <Yvettedenoga -at- crimsonlogic -dot- com> To:"Frank" <frank -at- research -dot- canon -dot- com -dot- au>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:21:04 +0800
Hi Frank,
Some people can be really dense about it, or be the complete opposite.
It depends on the sensibilities of your co-worker. Usually, mentioning
that it has to do with your health is easier for them to accept. I asked
to move with the excuse that "it affected my sinuses and it gave me
headaches" (which was true!). It has to appear that it is not a
preference, as much as possible. They take comments like that
personally, but then, isn't his smell personally offending you too? It
should work both ways. If I knew my cologne or body smell bothered
someone (even as a preference), I would be really embarrassed.
My tip is to make it a health issue to minimize any violent reactions. I
hope this helps. :)
Yvette
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+yvettedenoga=crimsonlogic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+yvettedenoga=crimsonlogic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- co
m] On Behalf Of Frank
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 11:03 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: OFF-TOPIC question about an office thing
I agree about HR needing a policy about this. Similar to your situation,
I had to move desk locations due to a guy who practically bathed in
cologne. Along with his cologne, he would waft into the office around
10:00 AM; I could smell him before I could see him. Cheap stuff it was
too. The odor hung around for ages.
I've often wondered how to raise the subject with him without offending
him. Humor can work, but often times it doesn't. Suggestions?
Regards,
Frank.
Yvette, Denoga wrote:
> Here's a bit of perspective: in non-western countries commenting on
> someone's perfume or body scent is a no-no. I have once worked with a
> woman of which perfume was not her problem, but an extremely offensive
> body scent that left a trail (and holding your nose would not help). I
> could not tell her directly because it was considered "politically
> incorrect" (believe it or not). Her countrymen seem to think other
> people's noses are too sensitive. I had to ask to move to another desk
> because majority of my co-workers were of the same nationality. I
could
> not even mention the name of this person to my manager.
>
> I wish companies would be more enlightened that strong scents
(perfume,
> deodorant or body scent) can become a big issue to employees. For a
> time, I could not concentrate on my work everytime she passed by. I
> eventually left the office for other reasons, but I am thankful I
don't
> have to run into her again.
>
> There should be some globally accepted HR policy or something on
things
> like these. Sounds harsh, but after what I went through, it is
> definitely worth the trouble.
>
> Yvette
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
techwr-l-bounces+yvettedenoga=crimsonlogic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+yvettedenoga=crimsonlogic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- co
> m] On Behalf Of Ron Hearn
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:18 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: OFF-TOPIC question about an office thing
>
> My current employer has a policy about wearing fragrances etc. and
their
> affect on people like myself who have allergies. I like the policy -
it
> makes my working life more pleasant.
>
> Ron
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+rhearn=cucbc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+rhearn=cucbc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf
> Of Jacki Fitzpatrick
> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 11:13 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: OFF-TOPIC question about an office thing
>
> James Jones wrote:
>
>
>> wear heavy perfume. You can hardly tell that she's wearing any
perfume
>>
> at
>
>> all. Her perfume does not cause complaints from anyone else.
>> Is this kind of thing an issue in offices? Thanks for your wisdom.
>>
>
> Some people are very sensitive to fragrances. I can tell
> when someone is wearing scented deodorant, as an example. I
> get nauseous if the scent is too powerful.
>
> yes, perfumes, etc. are an issue in offices.
>
> Jacki
>
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