Ok ladies how would you handle this?

jinx75 · August 2010

Of course we all know that being pregnant brings with it a great many wonderful symptoms, including a heightened sense of smell. Well I work in an office setting (cubicles) and have 7 people on my team not including myself. One coworker in particular loves to bathe in the perfume. We have an office policy of no heavy perfumes due to people suffering allergies and being unable to open any windows (we're on the top floor of our building). Well her perfume was annoying prior to becoming pregnant but now it's downright repugnant. I can't imagine spending 8 more months with a constant headache and nausea over it either. Moving isn't an option so I am forced to face it head on. How can I approach her without offending? Everyone here seems to have really touchy feelings (unless they're offending you and then they don't care what they say or how they say it) and I don't want to start a war. Thoughts?

Jen1231 · August 2010

Can you tell your boss? Or, if you don't have a boss to tell how about the HR department?

I HATE when people where too much perfume. There is one older lady at my work that does it all the time and I am sitting in my office gagging. Ick!

I've even said to her "______, wow is that a new perfume? It's REALLY strong." She didn't get the hint.

JenWen3 · August 2010

I would send a note to your HR person and let him or her deal with it.

Or I'd woman up and tell her that while it's a lovely perfume, you seem to be a bit more sensitive to it and ask her politely if she can lessen her usage.

I get scent-induced migraines and had to ask a co-worker once to stop using her Glade plug-in. She seemed to take it better than the person who left another co-worker an anonymous note.

luvdv8 · August 2010

I would talk to a superior and see if a reminder memo can get sent around. Maybe mention that you've been getting really bad headaches lately and you're probably more sensitive to it, but that you noticed some people weren't following the "no stinking" rule and that maybe a reminder would help the situation.

staycee · August 2010

if you don't want to address her directly, go to her boss or HR and have them deal with it. If it's office policy anyway, they should be enforcing it.

LesleyH11 · August 2010

If you could maybe you should talk to your boss and explain the situation, I'm sure they will understand.

I also hate when people bathe themselves in their stinky perfumes or colognes! blah!

Catherine75 · August 2010

Even though most people in your office know it's policy not to wear strong perfume, this lady probably doesn't know that she's bathing in it! My MIL was doing the same thing when she came to visit us when I had DS... I think it would be best if you would approach her and say like one of the previous posts mentioned that you think it's a lovely perfume, but ask if she could possible lessen her use because it seems to be giving you a headache... maybe she'll take it better than having HR call her in their office.

missmiss307 · August 2010

I agree with the folks who say talk to her directly about it first. Asking her to wear less perfume is not rude in itself as long as you say it in a kind way.

NurseLaLa · August 2010

Just be honest. No reason to beat around the bush, we're all adults now.

"Your parfume has started making my eyes itchy... Would you mind avoiding wearing parfume to the office?"

If she gives you lip, remind her it's office policy.

jenlowe80 · August 2010

I have this same issue and I plan on telling my boss to deal with it. I agree it was hard to be around her before now UGH. I love this girl too but I dont know her well enough to say anything. I am going to leave that up to my boss. Since she already knows I am pregnant she can put whatever spin on she wants.

Soon2BMrs.Monty · August 2010

Maybe she is covering up an even worse smell!!! Just joking!! Haha!

I would talk to the HR department if you don't want to confront her directly and if you don't mind confronting her I would just say "____ usually I really love the smell of your perfume but right now I have super sonic smell and it is really making me feel sick. Is there any way you could lessen the amount you apply in the morning? And by the way what is the sent you use, because after the baby gets here I would love to pick some up sometime" That way you flatter her and you are blunt about the situation. If it were me I would confront her directly but that is just my style.

Soon2BMrs.Monty · August 2010

Maybe she is covering up an even worse smell!!! Just joking!! Haha!

I would talk to the HR department if you don't want to confront her directly and if you don't mind confronting her I would just say "____ usually I really love the smell of your perfume but right now I have super sonic smell and it is really making me feel sick. Is there any way you could lessen the amount you apply in the morning? And by the way what is the sent you use, because after the baby gets here I would love to pick some up sometime" That way you flatter her and you are blunt about the situation ( and you know what sent to stay away from. If it were me I would confront her directly but that is just my style.

wilma007 · August 2010

jinx75:
Of course we all know that being pregnant brings with it a great many wonderful symptoms, including a heightened sense of smell. Well I work in an office setting (cubicles) and have 7 people on my team not including myself. One coworker in particular loves to bathe in the perfume. We have an office policy of no heavy perfumes due to people suffering allergies and being unable to open any windows (we're on the top floor of our building). Well her perfume was annoying prior to becoming pregnant but now it's downright repugnant. I can't imagine spending 8 more months with a constant headache and nausea over it either. Moving isn't an option so I am forced to face it head on. How can I approach her without offending? Everyone here seems to have really touchy feelings (unless they're offending you and then they don't care what they say or how they say it) and I don't want to start a war. Thoughts?

The problem here is that the lady who is offensive with her perfume is strictly unaware of it being such. Ladies who wear perfume do not usually understand that it is offensive to those around them. I would just have a talk with her - if you know her well enough to do so. If not then talk with the person in HR who handles these type of problems. Not all of us in HR handle these types of situations so be sure you contact the right person in HR. Not just anyone. If you are unsure of who in HR takes care of these then simply ask to see the HR manager s/he can help you get to that right person. I am in HR - Personnel Records. Here where I work we have a gentleman who takes care of any problem dealing with males. Also having a lady here who is his counter part for handling the female side of this issue just be sure you talk with that person directly or manager over HR.

Perfume works differently on different people it has a tendency to smell good on some; but, not on others the reason is it works with a persons own PH body factor within their body chemistry. Cologne on the other hand is very much the same from one woman to another or one man to another. That PH balance within a person chemical make-up does not create a problem as such.

Women who use perfume do not generally understand or know how to wear it - a little goes a long, long ways. As they use perfume the body chemistry will change over time, also they become more and more accustom to that scent from it; so they tend to just use more and more so they can still smell it on themselves at first not realizing it is strong, stronger to those others around them.

TheCricket · August 2010

Think of it this way - if the tables were reversed, and a co-worker approached you in a nice way explaining that she was expecting, and right now all perfumes are making her really queazy, you'd me more than happy to curtail your use of perfume for her for a while, right? It's probably NBD, but like others have said, if she gets defensive, then talk to HR and let them know that you tried the direct approach, but you need them to step in now.

Joannah Marie · August 2010

Maybe its the fact I feel like crapola at the moment or that I'm working overnights, but I delt with this issue in the past while not pregnant. Its frustrating.

I would copy the policy and post it randomly with bright high-lighted marks all over....yup thats the passive-aggressive cranky pregnant woman coming out.

Ok, maybe I would strongly consider that and even make the copies, but to stay professional, address her first. If it doesn't work, climb the ladder until the situation is taken care of.

KarenH15 · August 2010

Talk to your HR person about the company policy and get their advice on how to handle the situation.

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Ok ladies how would you handle this?

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