When A Co-worker Wears Way Too Much Perfume..

[Brenda Starrr]

*cringe* I should have you come to be my allergy representative. Ugh... She acts like she's terrified of me as it is. She gets this whole "wounded dog" look on her face if I instruct her in anything. (And I'm supposed to be training her!)

Gaf is right: Tact is key. No, you cannot kill her or light her on fire. We don't live in a 3rd world country.

You're her trainer, and she would most likely respect you. She may get that look on her face out of fear of screwing up. It's the PERFECT time to tell her. Just be really nice and tactful about your wording. Say it nicely, but MEAN it.

Kelly's idea of telling her that you like the way it smells, but you are allergic is good. Let her know that it could land those with said allergies in the hospital. No one wants that.

[Rayne]

I'm not sure how I would handle it ... I still have the cat problem.

Actually, knowing me, I'd probably never say anything and look for another job while I suffered at that one.

I'm definately not telling you to do that ... it would be wrong of me to handle it that way.

[TygerLili]

Ask your boss to put out a memo that because everyone is working in close quarters scented perfumes, hand lotions, hair product, etc must be kept to a minimum or they will no longer be allowed. I interviewed for one job where you couldn't wear anything scented.

[Marblez]

"Bernhilda, can I talk to you in private here for just a second. Thanks, please understand that this is a very difficult thing for me to bring up, but I just have to tell you. I don't mind the scent of the perfume that you wear but I think I am having an allergic reaction to it. My eyes water and my skin itch. I am sorry to have to ask you but, is there anyway you could tone it down a bit?"

[Brenda Starrr]

Ask your boss to put out a memo that because everyone is working in close quarters scented perfumes, hand lotions, hair product, etc must be kept to a minimum or they will no longer be allowed. I interviewed for one job where you couldn't wear anything scented.

That is brilliant!

[Marblez]

But...everyone who knows that Nienna has a problem with Bernhilda's perfume may now feel as though they are being punished for her complaint.

[Nienna]

LOL No ball growth yet. I'm thinking a nicely worded email will be best yes?? I have SUCH a problem with confrontation. Ugh.. LOL Is an email too cold? I know face to face is better, but dammit! The email will also create a record of exactly what I said so she couldn't turn it around and make it seem like I was being mean...

[Marblez]

LOL No ball growth yet. I'm thinking a nicely worded email will be best yes?? I have SUCH a problem with confrontation. Ugh.. LOL Is an email too cold? I know face to face is better, but dammit! The email will also create a record of exactly what I said so she couldn't turn it around and make it seem like I was being mean...

Emails very often do not come off in the intended light. I would generally be more offended if told in an email, and I wouldn't know how to approach you after the fact. That could make it very uncomfortable. In person is (IMO) the best. Your obvious discomfort while telling her may actually help her to understand that it is not an easy thing for you to say, thus, you are not a rude bitch telling her what to do.

[Nienna]

Emails very often do not come off in the intended light. I would generally be more offended if told in an email, and I wouldn't know how to approach you after the fact. That could make it very uncomfortable. In person is (IMO) the best. Your obvious discomfort while telling her may actually help her to understand that it is not an easy thing for you to say, thus, you are not a rude bitch telling her what to do.

Good point there.. Hmm.. LOL

[DarkVampire]

I don't which would be worse, wearing too much or wearing none and not wearing deoderant.

[JaneDead]

Ask your boss to put out a memo that because everyone is working in close quarters scented perfumes, hand lotions, hair product, etc must be kept to a minimum or they will no longer be allowed. I interviewed for one job where you couldn't wear anything scented.

yep that is what i would suggest. i worked at a place where we weren't allowed to over do it in that way either. we worked with children and because of possible allergies we had to be careful what the kids were exposed to. i am allergic to perfume so i would have to say something if no one else would. just would absolutely have to. my facial expression alone would not hide how i felt about smelling that smell all day. i would get sick/headache/sneeze. it would be beyond just not liking the smell (like cheap slutty 80's girl perfume and old lady drugstore perfume).

[Msterbeau]

Have you killed her yet?

[Nienna]

Well, I was training her yesterday and I mentioned it. She said "Oh?? Hmmm... I don't really wear any." WTF??? I said that I was definately reacting to her perfume and again asked if she could tone it down. She said ok.. Today.. yeah, I think she wore more.

[Brenda Starrr]

Well, I was training her yesterday and I mentioned it. She said "Oh?? Hmmm... I don't really wear any." WTF??? I said that I was definately reacting to her perfume and again asked if she could tone it down. She said ok.. Today.. yeah, I think she wore more.

Tell her again.

[pomba gira]

Ask your boss to put out a memo that because everyone is working in close quarters scented perfumes, hand lotions, hair product, etc must be kept to a minimum or they will no longer be allowed. I interviewed for one job where you couldn't wear anything scented.

Best idea so far!!!

I like the tactful but direct approach too... with a little added wheezing & eye-dabbing for emphasis.

[JaneDead]

Well, I was training her yesterday and I mentioned it. She said "Oh?? Hmmm... I don't really wear any." WTF??? I said that I was definately reacting to her perfume and again asked if she could tone it down. She said ok.. Today.. yeah, I think she wore more.

ack that is awful. is cheap perfume? sometimes that smells strong and horrible no matter how much you put on maybe she combines it with matching lotion and products and so she put on less perfume but her other fragrances were just as bad in combination.

[Nienna]

ack that is awful. is cheap perfume? sometimes that smells strong and horrible no matter how much you put on maybe she combines it with matching lotion and products and so she put on less perfume but her other fragrances were just as bad in combination.

It smells like this horribly heavy, floral yet musky smell... if you doused a dog with it and then wrapped the dog in plastic for a few days. I'm not kidding. It's a weird, warm, animal smell under a miasma of dead flowers and ferret. LOL Someone please just kill me.

[JaneDead]

i think that smell WOULD kill me. ick.

[Nienna]

i think that smell WOULD kill me. ick.

If she gets too close I actually feel sick.. and panicked. LOL I wish I were exaggerating. My boss refuses to do anything about it.

[JaneDead]

oh, i believe you. i have been around people like that. seriously the cheap slutty 80's perfumed (young) girls and the cheap drugstore perfumed (old) ladies. i just hate when they hug you and get their smell on you for the day. or worse, when they move just the right way and it gets in your mouth somehow. i got the chills just thinking about how awful it is.

[Nienna]

oh, i believe you. i have been around people like that. seriously the cheap slutty 80's perfumed (young) girls and the cheap drugstore perfumed (old) ladies. i just hate when they hug you and get their smell on you for the day. or worse, when they move just the right way and it gets in your mouth somehow. i got the chills just thinking about how awful it is.

OMG!! You CAN taste her in the mornings! Fortunately it fades a bit by afternoon. I think part of it is either that she does not bathe everyday or her clothes are permeated with it and she either doesn't wash them often enough or her detergent just can't compete.

[Msterbeau]

Kaboom now?

[Marblez]

OMG!! You CAN taste her in the mornings! Fortunately it fades a bit by afternoon. I think part of it is either that she does not bathe everyday or her clothes are permeated with it and she either doesn't wash them often enough or her detergent just can't compete.

Horrible horrible thought.... Maybe it is FDS. That stuff is horribly strong and any perfumed substance added to warmth (and perhaps polyester) would just make it that much worse.

[JaneDead]

Horrible horrible thought.... Maybe it is FDS. That stuff is horribly strong and any perfumed substance added to warmth (and perhaps polyester) would just make it that much worse.

oh my, that's a funny thought! she's probably like "perfume, what perfume? i don't even wear perfume... "*sprays on the fds*

[Nienna]

oh my, that's a funny thought! she's probably like "perfume, what perfume? i don't even wear perfume... "*sprays on the fds*

OH. HELL. NO!!!!! OMG... You may be right!