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June 2011 Moms
Sunidaze
member
help me out here (totally off the baby subject)
Sunidaze
member
Our cleaning woman (at work, one for home is just a pipe dream) is a really sweet person. She bends over backwards for us. But...she marinates in whatever perfume she wears. I mean, you can smell her before she rounds the corner. You can smell her long after she's gone. It is a heavy scent. It is not a good one (or perhaps it would be if not worn so heavily). Maybe I just have an extra-sensitive nose (which was even worse when I was pregnant). However, others around me have noticed it as well. Is there a kind way to let her know that perhaps she should lay off it a little bit?
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Re: help me out here (totally off the baby subject)
In general, I think the best way to handle these sorts of issues is head on. Her direct supervisor (not sure if that's you or not) should sit her down and start out by saying something like "we really appreciate you...blah blah blah...but your perfume smells very strongly. Could you please either wear less, or refrain from wearing it at work?"
Avoid phrases like "several people have noticed" or anything else that would make her think that people are talking about her behind her back.
I think the key is to make the conversation as short and direct as possible. Good luck!
Is she an employee of your company or a contracted cleaning woman? The passive aggressive (the mode of operation in my office) way to handle it would be to send out a group email or post a sign in the bathroom reminding people to lay off the perfume because of coworkers' allergies. My organization sends out one of these emails about twice a year.
If you want to be more direct, tell her you have allergies and the lingering smell of her perfume causes you and others to have sinus issues. Of course compliment her on the scent, but tell her it is too strong for the work place.
You could just tell her that the company is asking everyone to refrain from wearing perfume as some people have been complaining of allergies being bothered by it. Make it seem as if you are doing her a huge favor by coming to her rather than her boss, just tell her you wanted to give her a heads up as well since she likely didn't get the memo.
I think that is pretty direct, and it's also nice enough not to offend her. I would think so at least.
ETA: Is she the only cleaning lady there? If she is one of a few, just go to their boss and tell them to just spread the word to their employees as well (almost saying the employees at your company have been informed already) that they should limit the use of perfumes at work as people with allergies are being affected by "everyones" perfume. Then at that point I doubt they will fire everyone who works for you all, that is of course if she is not the only cleaning lady.