Should I/Could I ask a coworker to stop wearing her perfume?

BronzeMama · June 2012

Awkward. I know.

This wouldn't be an issue except we sit at adjacent cubicles. Almost daily, in the first trimester, the perfume brought on severe morning sickness. I don't get so nauseous now, but the vomiting has been replaced by a constant headache when I'm near her.

I take frequent walks, and usually, after 5 to 10 minutes away from her, my head stops pounding. But I eventually have to return to my desk.

I know it's totally bitchy to insinuate that someone's perfume makes you ill. IS there anything I can do to mitigate my nose and save my head? Or do I just suck up the pain for the next four months? Any ideas?

mben1119 · June 2012

You CAN ask, but be prepared for a less-than-pleasant response. If your willing to put up with the aftermath, go for it. Otherwise, maybe light a mildly scented candle at your cubicle to create a nice, headache-free atmosphere.

ni077169 · June 2012

Wouldn't it be easier to ask to move to a different cubicle?

SoCoGirl · June 2012

I would not- I can't imagine her having a good response to that request.

Maybe put up a small fan on your desk to keep the air moving.

BLuvsE · June 2012

I'd tell HR and let them announce it as a company wide thing.

We had a lady in our office that you could literally smell coming. So someone told HR and it was addressed in a mass e-mail. She didn't get the hint, so her manager told her individually, but it was then an HR issue, not a personal one.

nk1220 · June 2012

This exact thing has been in almost all of my handbooks for employee policy...it is offensive to wear heavy perfume around co-workers. I would just cue her in to how your feeling..honesty is the best policy and I bet she will be more than abliged to lighten it up. I think that suffering through it is worse!

Tarta · June 2012

I am extremely sensitive to perfumes. I can't wear them and I can't be around them for long. I would actually speak to your manager and share your concern to see what they suggest. Perhaps you can move like PP suggested. It's nothing personal against your co-worker, and using another type of scent to drown it out isn't going to help if you're already sensitive to scents. That would just make it worse for me.

HappyMama2011 · June 2012

I would personally tell her myself. I would say that I have something very awkward to talk to her about and then explain that you think her perfume is triggering your headaches. I would go on about how pretty you normally think it smells but, for some reason, it has been setting you off. Then ask if she would mind not wearing it for X weeks. Tell her you feel terrible to even ask and really appreciate her help.

jenyjeny · June 2012

I would totally ask. And be sweet about it - just say that normally the smell has never offended you, but at this stage in your pregnancy you seem to be extremely sensitive in smell and for whatever reason, it's giving you wicked migraines. I would appologize, and ask her if she would mind not using it for a while and see if that makes a difference.

If she does stop, buy her a coffee or something to show your appreciation.

Ham it up sweetheart!!

katiereimer · June 2012

BLuvsE:

I'd tell HR and let them announce it as a company wide thing.

We had a lady in our office that you could literally smell coming. So someone told HR and it was addressed in a mass e-mail. She didn't get the hint, so her manager told her individually, but it was then an HR issue, not a personal one.

This. We have a suggestion box at my work that they get read to the whole office at our weekly meetings so things like this have been brought up. I also sit at cubicles, and the lady next to me had the worst perfume ever, mixed with whatever she eats for breakfast, I wanted to be sick so many times. I also could not stand the smell of coffee and everyone here drinks it , so its not like I could ask them to stop drinking it..

DelBride2012 · June 2012

If it's impacting your productivity, I think you owe it to your employer to try to get it resolved in some manner.

TaylorP5 · June 2012

SoCoGirl:

I would not- I can't imagine her having a good response to that request.

Maybe put up a small fan on your desk to keep the air moving.

This! You don't want to seem rude asking her this.

rakle99 · June 2012

Asking her yourself probably will only create bad blood between you two. Chances are you're not the only one it bothers. You don't really even have to tell HR who it is, or that the pregnancy is making it worse. I would start with this:

Due to a medical condition I have difficulty being around strong smells. The fragrances in perfumes, colognes, strong body washes, etc aggravate the condition and lately due to coworkers wearing these fragrances my work productivity has suffered...

Then you can ask for a reminder to be sent out or if you could be moved to another area. Good luck!

billiencorey · June 2012

HappyMama2011:
I would personally tell her myself. I would say that I have something very awkward to talk to her about and then explain that you think her perfume is triggering your headaches. I would go on about how pretty you normally think it smells but, for some reason, it has been setting you off. Then ask if she would mind not wearing it for X weeks. Tell her you feel terrible to even ask and really appreciate her help.

this.. id say this in the nicest way thats possible Smile

MyaMaternity · June 2012

I wouldn't say anything she would probably get offended and put more on each day. I know how you feel though I couldn't stand my husband's cologne. He had to stop wearing it. Maybe buy a small desk fan and point it her direction so it says away from your cubicle. Just an idea.

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