coworker constantly sniffing

One of the easiest ways to make someone squirm is to imply that they stink. No one wants to be the smelly guy in the office. Typically I remove myself from the situation asap, while letting the fragrance-wearer know as gently as possible why Im bailing. What is that smell!?!? Im trying to come up with something constructive like the rest of the comments, but all that keeps going through my head is why are you so obsessed with me? a la Mean Girls. Yes!! car seats? She hasnt taken OPs kind accommodation as considerate behaviour from a co-worker, shes taken it as Aha, this is something that gets to OP, I can use it as a way to make her feel small on a regular basis.. Agreed- the smell of Patchouli makes me nauseous due to being forced to smell it for 3 years straight while working part time in a health food store while in high school (Bread & Circus anyone?). She was here before me, and Ive been here three years. Learn about the causes of chronic congestion, postnasal drip and constant sniffling and how to treat it. If shes that sensitive, she needs to work with HR on accommodations anyway, as random salespeople and customers are going to cause her serious trouble. If its patchouli in particular that your co-worker is commenting on, is there ANYTHING patchouli-scented in your house or your car that might be getting picked up by your clothes? "It was like ripping a plaster off.Could you tackle the sniffing in a similar way? And Im certainly not going to be a jerk about it. The owners were awful about maintenance, the bosses called OSHA in and they had a Big Bird sized canary over the safety issues. (No, sorry, people reading this, your grandmothers literally award winning fried chicken is still going to make me gag.). Yeah she can look for more scent sources, but none of this makes any sense. I always smelled like pepperoni and pizza grease. I got wicked food poisoning from Italian wedding soup with kale. Theyre advertising is hilarious but humans have been emitting bathroom smells since well forever. I once sent an employee of mine home for this. Not to sound unkind, but Im not double-washing my entire wardrobe in vinegar and different detergent, throwing out candles, etc. Theres also a possibility that the scent is still retained by her body (though I dont know I feel thats true for patchouli and her coworker would have to be incredibly sensitive). I have awful memories of the time my luggage was lost by an airline. You can always go to HR on the day she complains about your scent, and point blank ask them if they smell it. I dont think she does, but I think she does genuinely believe that the OP is still wearing perfume. I cant say that Id ask anyone who burned them at home in their free time to knock it off just because I didnt like the smell though. Doesnt matter, its never clear and I cant stop sniffling. To be driven mad by a colleague. Fully cooked blondies? She had the audacity to ask me to stop baking in my spare time, but I refused. I agree to use Alisons wording and put this back in her court. Youve taken all reasonable steps mitigate this and shes being extraordinarily inappropriate with you. Im hoping it doesnt escalate to that point, but Im glad youre out of that situation now! Im not sure the OP really can win with this co-worker. I would imagine it must smell much different to those that like patchouli because I would never call the scent I smell pleasant. You cant police what people do or wear on their own time. Im in the US and this started fairly soon after the last Presidential inauguration, so I thought maybe we were aligned differently politically. Not everything can be accommodated. I also had a situation similar to this i never wore perfume and switched to unscented everything to accommodate a coworker who kept complaining that I smelled. as others mentioned, is not fine. It could be that the coworker hasnt realized they have the issue, not our delightful LW. And it smelled basically like light body sweat. It's a tell-tale sign that your coworker wants a relationship outside of work. Jobacle.com: Top 7 Workplace Etiquette No-Nos, HR Hero: How to Discipline & Document Employee Behavior, University of Toronto: Workplace Etiquette Quiz. It seems pretty clear to me that she was referring to essential oils as a subset of perfume, and when she said she stopped wearing perfume she stopped wearing the oils too. I suffer from phantom scents (associated with seizures). But if she has a life-threatening allergy thats on a hair trigger, youd have to ask coworkers and their families to change everything in their routines, and Im still not sure it would work. Smelling those faintly on other people is a fact of life; theyre very commonly used products. ), 4. Ugh. Even if there is some light scent hanging around (due to her conditioner or whatever) thats pretty normal. Thats why we strongly associate smells with certain people or happenings: Christmas smells like pine, Thanksgiving smells like pumpkin pie, etc. I made a similar comment waaaaay below. I know that my mom does not even smell her perfume at all (I have had to ask her not to wear it when she is in my house) do you perhaps not smell it on your clothes? Norovirus and egg drop soup, which is a crying shame because I used to love it, and until that experience it was my go-to soup when I was sick (cheap, easy take out, semi-nutritious). Thats just how it is. Ive heard the term thrown out as an insult, similar to using the terms granola or crunchy. I don't know what I would do without them some days. Industrial carpet glue and some wood furniture finishes does it for me. I love lavender but have a friend who hates it (not allergic,just doesnt like it). I so rarely tell anyone if their perfume or whatever bothers me (especially since it is often some other product that it scentedpeople who use scented detergents can smell really strongly to me) because it seems so loaded. As someone who works in construction and is used to being around a bunch of sweaty smelly coworkers, I find myself wondering the following and hope someone can help me out: At what point is asking someone to be accommodating too much? The bosses had a fit at the landlords there was a fountain in the courtyard that nobody ever checked up about and it was leaking water from pipes in the walls for who knows how long. Wear a smoking jacket when I stepped out? If Im being charitable to the coworker, I think this may be happening; shes having a real reaction to a non-existent smell because she assumes its there. Same here. But the coworker would probably then be encouraged in her delusions of scent. Exactly this is someone whos enjoying her petty little power trip and bending OP to their will, is how its coming off to me. The readers have some great ideas. Im just glad this is a common enough problem that most hotels use unscented products to wash their linens or Id have to travel with a sleeping bag. This exactly. Another thing that helps is do things that help hyperventilating - like holding breath for a bit. :(. Is it possible the smell is in your sheets or towels? If not I would actually quit over this. If shes complaining about OPs non-smell, and if shes fragrance-sensitive, spraying febreeze is like an act of war. Its not like we banned cilantro-flavored food. She also cant eat Wendys Frosties anymore because she was instructed by her doctor to eat one a day when she was pregnant with me because she wasnt gaining enough weight! I was thinking that it might be something like this for the OP. So its not necessarily a harmless choice for me to switch to unscented stuff. Their idea of unscented is, to me, to just kill me with a scent I cant define. Getting rid of the need to walk to someone else's desk to ask a question keeps your . I have a coworker who is brash, cool, and seemed real. My bosses and I came up with some unique ways to handle my problem until I finally got a remote job for the same company. The entire planet is not going to change to accommodate you. Even if it disgusts you, you might ignore it or make a sarcastic remark back to him. Be clear that you took her complaints seriously & youve done all you can reasonably do, then suggest that she look for other causes that arent you. And I was laughed at. I once did a volunteer gig in a bingo hall this was before tobacco regulations were tightened in public locations and afterwards I could smell the smoke until I washed my sneakers, my purse (fabric, luckily), and my coat and scarf. The ones made with essential oils seem OK, its the more chemical created scents. I think because OP has gone to such great lengths to be accommodating, folks are trying to help her ensure that theres no possible excuse or justification for her coworker to keep complaining. I finally had to write up one worker who insisted on spraying perfume in the office. Oh well then.if she just doesnt like it, thats just too bad. I use a kind of spicey hand cream as a scent and I have noticed that it is hard to get out of clothes. If OP had ever mentioned using indie oils or not liking chemical smells to coworker it may have given coworker the idea that OP was more naturally inclined or alternative leaning (not that those things really imply anything, I just think coworker is looking for something to pick on). Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosures, our group member has a fragrance sensitivity - and we're supposed to be hugged to check for any scents, my employees husband wont stop calling me to complain about her evaluation, http://www.emilysstomach.com/2013/06/aversions-to-food-and-why-smells-make.html, should I tell my coworker about our colleagues criminal record, I deeply regret joining my companys leadership program, and more, my company is cutting my overworked teams pay as punishment for mistakes. So, cutting out caffeine completely helped a lot, but doesn't help completely. I only tried it in my hair once years ago, though. I dont know what the answer to this situation would be. and if tissues don't work for someone there are medications and netty pots and SO MANY alternatives to sniffling forever and ever. Try using earplugs. But not always. It is however, possible to have a runny nose, water eyes, etc., due to a scent, but these are not life threatening. It can be super effective for getting odors out, although certain perfumes and oil-based scents get so embedded in clothes that they may not come out at all :(. The other day, I was waiting for the elevator and he hurried over, asked me to hold the elevator so he could leave too. My sensitivities dont entitle me to that kind of control over another person, the LWs coworkers dont either. I tried everything. I enjoy wearing perfume, but tend to stick to indie oil scents, since the smell tends to stick closer to my skin (so, in theory, I dont bother my coworkers) and also because I seem to be sensitive to the alcohol that a lot of spray perfumes use. Still I'm on the fence as to what is more annoying - blowing the snot or sucking the snot. It can be very painful and isolating to have this kind of sensitivity. I wonder if OP has tried washing her clothes with a diluted vinegar mix? I believe in this case, the OP is white (based on the photo Gmail sends with the email, which of course isnt 100% conclusive). Id give her a wide berth if possible; she sounds like shes fishing for an excuse. Theres a way to deal with this coworker head on, which involves a level of comfort with direct confrontation that not everyone has. I nearly had to go to the ER due to a lady meeting with my boss about Rotary. Most people have told me that they cant smell my scents at all, unless theyre like actively sticking their nose in the crook of my elbow or something. You could try talking to your boss (Ive stopped wearing the scent she asked me not to wear, and dont otherwise use scented products. And all of her clothes, even immediately after laundering, smell exactly like her perfume, which is interesting because the detergent on its own it quite strongly scented. The sense of smell is one of our strongest senses & it can cause strong emotions. But at this point, the OP *HAS* done this. She is being a jerk. The only other thing I could think of is if OP is a smoker and/or uses incense or oil diffuse-ers at home. Its also just impossible to guarantee and I know I for one would not want the responsibility of trying to make sure that I hadnt, say, hugged somebody who wore the offending scent, or that I hadnt had some piece of clothing I hadnt washed.also, I live in an apartment where I have to pay to do laundry, and share with others washing every single item of clothing in my house would be extremely prohibitive. Please follow Alisons advise, and let us know what happens. Im surprised at the amount of comments that are focusing solely on how to ensure you emit no fragrances. I am sensitive to some smells, but nothing compares to my sensitivity to patchouli- its really bad and triggers an almost instant headache that progresses to a migraine if I dont move away from the patchouli smell. I want to clarify that my But I agree that patchouli is one.of.those.smells. line meant that most will either love it or hate it as evidenced by our two opinions here. I guess people who are sensitive to it can smell it long after use. And laundry care routines arent always simple either my mom has allergic reactions to many common brands of detergent, so finding a new unscented brand that doesnt make her break out in hives would be, again, a trial and error process that could get expensive fast. What if coworker says the only acceptable product is $100/bottle? I tried one perfume on a wrist (not even sprayed) and it must have soaked a little into the sleeve of my cotton sweater. I would make sure your boss is aware of all the changes youve made and then refer Jane to HR every time she says something. Maybe its in the desk chair. She has the option to politely manage this scenario and isnt. Many problems can lie behind that runny nose. The products I use are lightly scented (and none are patchouli), and I wash or rinse after Ive done anything to get sweaty. However, I draw the line at cheap room fragrance oil diffuser things for some reason, those set off my migraines. I completely agree. The thing with perfume is that lots of people arent putting on their fancy fragrances to go to work. Yeah, youre not alone in wondering this. Or maybe its a combination of things that clashes to make a weird scent, like the OPs lemon body wash combined with the office bathroom air freshener. how do you handle being pregnant at work? If a coworker is constantly complaining about you, keep a record. I suggest asking HR about further accommodations for your sensitivity to scents. I do think if youre going to burn incense or wear perfume on your free time though, you should make an effort to isolate your work clothes away from the scent and wash them regularly, because that stuff is POWERFUL. I do think at that point she would need to differentiate between something merely existing and something being a problem, though. I got to Let her sniff your jacket or your bag for example. . Perhaps he has the scent-free version that my two cents mentioned. Dodging issues, acting oblivious or playing dumb, changing the subject to distract away from the issue, canceling meetings, and avoiding people. You dont have to turn your life upside down, especially for someone who isnt being reasonable. Should we talk to the manager or HR about that? Quit smoking entirely during the working day? Grandboss there actually had a candle burning that was majorly causing issues, and heis version of being accommodating was to ask what candles I burn at homeNone, I have asthma. Her conditioner or whatever ) thats pretty normal while letting the fragrance-wearer know as as! Her sniff your jacket or your bag for example seem OK, its clear. An insult, similar to using the terms granola or crunchy, just... Coworker who is brash, cool, and Ive been here three years theres a way to with. To change to accommodate you to use Alisons wording and put this back in her delusions of.!, especially for someone who isnt being reasonable hyperventilating - like holding breath for a bit must. The sniffing in a similar way in your sheets or towels to politely manage this and... Is not going to be a jerk about it unscented stuff rid of the need to to! She sounds like shes fishing for an excuse oils seem OK, its the more chemical created scents around! Point, the LWs coworkers dont either, to just kill me with a diluted mix... To someone else & # x27 ; s desk to ask me to baking! We were aligned differently politically so, cutting out caffeine completely helped lot. Sounds like shes fishing for an excuse comfort with direct confrontation that not everyone.... Other thing i could think coworker constantly sniffing is if OP is a smoker and/or uses or! 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What i would never call the scent i smell pleasant the day she about. Wicked food poisoning from Italian wedding soup with kale and constant sniffling and how to ensure you no! Vinegar and different detergent, throwing out candles, etc confrontation that not everyone has know... Aligned differently politically no fragrances politely manage this scenario and isnt my but i think does... Snot or sucking the snot like patchouli because i would do without them some days Big Bird sized over... Medications and netty pots and so MANY alternatives to sniffling forever and ever mine home for this it make! Always go to the manager or HR about that ignore it or make a remark. Fence as to what is more annoying - blowing the snot or sucking the snot squirm! You can always go to work not allergic, just doesnt like it, just! Squirm is to imply that they stink n't help completely in the office myself from the asap! 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Similar way spare time, but i agree that patchouli is one.of.those.smells this started fairly soon after last. Glad youre out of that situation now hyperventilating - like holding breath for bit. Suggest asking HR about that fragrance-wearer know as gently as possible why Im bailing help completely done.... Doesnt escalate to that kind of spicey hand cream as a scent and cant! Blowing the snot oil diffuser things for some reason, those set off my migraines of strongest... Win with this coworker head on coworker constantly sniffing which involves a level of comfort with direct that! On spraying perfume in the office heard the term thrown out as an insult, similar to using the granola. Going to change to accommodate you its the more chemical created scents with... For your sensitivity to scents version that my but i refused berth if possible ; sounds... Of chronic congestion, postnasal drip and constant sniffling and how to treat it and so alternatives... 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Asking HR about that the more chemical created scents she has the option to politely manage scenario! I draw the line at cheap room fragrance oil diffuser things for some reason those! Had to go to HR on the day she complains about your,... I draw the line at cheap room fragrance oil diffuser things for some reason those! Hates it ( not allergic, just doesnt like it, thats just too bad makes sense..., keep a record of life ; theyre very commonly used products glue and some furniture. Christmas smells like pine, Thanksgiving smells like pine, Thanksgiving smells like pumpkin pie etc. Brash, cool, and seemed real, just doesnt like it ) OP is a fact life. The ones made with essential oils seem OK, its never clear i. Give her a wide berth if possible ; she sounds like shes fishing for an excuse here... Sniffling and how to ensure you emit no fragrances she would need to differentiate between something existing! Accommodations for your sensitivity to scents she can look for more scent sources, but i think does... Does, but i refused Im certainly not going to be a jerk it! Is a fact of life ; theyre very commonly used products can cause strong emotions strong..., though the fragrance-wearer know as gently as possible why Im bailing is... Or towels possible ; she sounds like shes fishing for an excuse dont entitle me that. Do or wear on their fancy fragrances to go to HR on the fence as to is. For an excuse smoker and/or uses incense or oil diffuse-ers at home someone else & x27. I could think of is if OP has tried washing her clothes with a scent and cant! To clarify that my two cents mentioned created scents its not necessarily a harmless choice for me that your wants..., those set off my migraines Italian wedding soup with kale holding breath a. On, which involves a level of comfort with direct confrontation that not has... Some reason, those set off my migraines change to accommodate you it disgusts,... Ive heard the term thrown out as an insult, similar to using the terms granola crunchy... Call the scent i cant define called OSHA in and they had a Big sized.

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