Its kind to cut out scent free hygiene products, but at a certain point the coworker is going to have to just deal with it. If you let mgmt/HR know you want to do what you can to address your co-workers sensitivities, youll be seen as proactive and sympathetic. Time for bending over backwards is past here. Whether or not the coworker has a sensitivity, her behavior is way inappropriate. He probably has post nasal drip from seasonal allergies or GERD/ acid reflux. Even if some scent is lingering in the OPs clothes or her body wash is stronger than she thinks, it sounds like she uses a lot less scented stuff than many people do. But if OP doubled down and insists that they dont actually smell, they will frankly not hold as string a position as if they continue to be open to learning about ways they might be bringing patchouli scent to the office. Just make sure over time they don't start pulling to those spots! Theyre going to keep pushing and pushing until either they 100% get their way, or the person accommodating them says no, Ive done enough for you, thats all your getting., For the record, I love the phrase go pound sand. I think you could explore the suggestions of others above about fragrance in unlikely places like a coat or jacket, or on your chair. Give the interrupter . I will ask do you still use your perfume on the weekends? I put this at the top of the post but am adding it here too: There have been loads of suggestions above for additional ways the letter-writer could tackle potential scents and stamp them out. There are people who believe very strongly in this initiative, so it wouldnt surprise me to encounter that sentiment here or elsewhere. They lead the meeting after the meeting. But if this has been going on for a while, it seems to me that something else is going on. Were there any complaints prior to this (about anything, not necessarily OPs scent)? I'd excuses myself and if boss asked why I'd say I can't be near someone who sniffles or. I would call her on it and take Allisons advice to call her bluff on the need for you to accommodate. Wear what you will, but please know that you are not keeping the smell away from coworkers. Oh, now that you say that Im remembering that she didnt complain once about the intern we had last summer who practically bathed in Axe products I asked him once and he had the body wash AND the cologne/body spray stuff! Either way, this isnt OPs issue to resolve, and OP has already done whats reasonable to do. Also I get that OP is bending over backwards completely to try to be scent free, but honestly, even scent free soaps are not. It was Jack Daniels for me. In what universe is poop + really strong, cheap perfume the preferable smell? I switched to those and the complaints continued. AlsoI used (briefly, because I am sensitive to Aluminium) a non-scented deodorant (Toms I think) and after 5 daysit had a smell and that smell was on me. I hope something works for the person who wrote this! Yeah, you have definitely gone above and beyond to accommodate this coworker. Yeah. Sorry, but no. Or she may simply be nuts. Because unless the company is paying a fortune in extra costs, carpet cleaners are awful for people who are scent reactive. I really hope that isnt whats going on here, but the thought did occur to me. Which sucks majorly. Typically I remove myself from the situation asap, while letting the fragrance-wearer know as gently as possible why Im bailing. If thats the case, theres nothing LW can do. Oh yeah, thats smart too. But long workdays also give a snitch the chance to witness all other workers' comings, goings, and other activities. My workplace has had a no-scent policy for a while, though it seems to be enforced only when people complain. This women used lemon scented Clorox wipes. Oh no! It still may after a reasonable test end up being something about the OP. I try really hard to balance my wanting to smell yummy with being considerate of those around me! If you have a fabric covered chair for instance, the fabric might have absorbed some patchouli prior to this incident. And one year when I was a broke college student, the place where I worked had basically an endless supply of get a meal 1/2 off coupons from Moes, which was next door to the store and made it the cheapest full meal I could get most days. Curiously enough, the first symptom I get is irritability, and my fight or flight response kicks in. A few weeks later, she insisted she could smell me using the cleaner againI was sitting at my desk doing stuff on the computer, but she kept on saying I was. Perhaps she does as well and is associating them with you? My husband is quite sensitive to smell and he uses it so I thought it would be okay. . Other commenters have made some potentially useful suggestions about other sources of scent; however, my reading of this is that your coworker is being a jerk. Had any luck? Diversion. It came on after a bad cold last year. Often people dont realize how heavy their perfumed things are, and it can interfere with others breathing & general ability to function. A co-worker has bad allergies, instead of blowing her nose she sucks down her snot and swallows it. Sometimes the smell of our homes gets on our clothing, so our clothing smells like it even if we didnt intentionally put it there, and we may not notice it. I also think that the OP should go to HR and let them know what has been going on. OK, you are unlikely to see this, but I *love* chicken. I wouldn't blame anyone for dunking their heads into a basket of feral man meat hammocks. LW here Nope, I dont use any kind of incense or oil diffusers at home. Sniffle. Turkey is like dry, inadequate chicken though. Snarky or not, it does highlight that the problem is the co-workers to solve, not the OPs. That usually means they are fooling around or are a snitch. Theres a specific inexpensive powder wallgreens sells. Depending on how sensitive your coworkers allergies are, this can get extremely complicated. There's a new guy at work, he's been here for about a month, he sits opposite me and is driving me insane already. It could be that the coworker hasnt realized they have the issue, not our delightful LW. Im being highly unhelpful with the +1s and derails on this thread but I kind of love you for that line. If its not a health problem, and she just wants to never ever smell even a whiff of anything she doesnt like, then shes being an unreasonable jerk. Stupid 16 year old prick that couldnt have been more annoying to begin with. They rarely, if ever, make a decision. Find out which foods you should watch out for. Im not sure why so many people are suggesting ways for the OP to further neutralize her scent. I cannot imagine going to work everyday without perfume on. And I agree, shes probably smelling patchouli in her head as it were. Are the other coworkers having this issue with the coworker too? I agree the coworker is being a jerk and is completely out of line with how she is handling this, but it could also be this particular scent and not all scents. Im sorry youre dealing with this. So whether shes extra-sensitive or not, shes clearly a jerk. What else can be done? In my experience, the years 1992 to 1999 presented a massive dry spell in underwear sniffing - nothing to sniff. Thats why I like Alisons advice. I had a similar experience with vodka in collegetook my 4-5 years to not start getting queasy at the sight of a bottle. :). To me, sniffling is like nails on a chalk board. Detergents, bath soaps for the kids (I still use my cheap stuff for myself though). 2. Yeah she can look for more scent sources, but none of this makes any sense. Yes. yup, havent eaten bananas since I was about 5. It provides non-invasive noise and pleasurable feelings, to effectively neutralise the unconscious attention system's ability to distract us. I vote for the desk-moving solution. Then I try to work with them later, after they arent wearing the mind-exploding, irritability-producing fragrance. I dont think this is a race thing. I had a similar problem with Oreos, which was really sad because I love Oreos. Also, I cant deal with the smell of Febreeze. :(, Why is Alison mentioning lemon scented body wash? Cmon, guys. Either way, OP certainly doesnt want to make matters worse so she probably shouldnt try it! About a month ago, one of my coworkers told me that the perfume I was wearing bothered her. This. So its not necessarily a harmless choice for me to switch to unscented stuff. But Id be pretty cranky if someone at work told me I had to stop using some hygiene product unless it was REALLY egregiously strong-smelling (looking at you, beloved Soap and Glory lotion that I wont wear in public). I do feel for people who can barely leave their homes due to their sensitivities, even if Im not convinced everyones hygiene regimen should revolve around them. It strikes me that she was initiating a power play. Bravo. Clock out and walk around the block for 15 minutes before I come back to my desk? Belts, scarves, sweaters, jackets, coats, purses, and shoes can easily have scent embedded. Suggest management isolate her if living in the world is too much for her once accommodations have already been made and she wont. Is it at all possible that after a long time of using scents theyre settled into a chair or the office? Id take I straight to HR at this point and get your cooperation efforts on the records. {Imagine you are in a burning house and if you dont get out in the next 10 minutes, you will pass out from the smoke and/or get burned. Your coworkers shoot you irritated looks as you clear your throat (again). I dont think its reasonable for her to avoid a scent just because someone somewhere might hate it. If coworker needs an accommodation they need to ask for it, and they cannot be permitted to continue to be snarky about it and rude. But to negatively comment about any group is . I try to buy products that are unscented or are minimally scented, but sometimes Im surprised at how strong the fragrance is in some products. Since then Ive tried to find ways to compensate for it without putting it off on people around me. Take AAMs suggestions to speak to Manager or to take it to HR and see what kind of reaction you get. Even if it disgusts you, you might ignore it or make a sarcastic remark back to him. He serves as the Studio's sports and recreation section expert. Say nothing. I inhale the mindblowing smells and sandals I also lick, but only the inner soles where the pretty feet have met the . Displaying Self-Serving Behavior. 2. Sounds like this is a common bullying tactic. Theres no legal definition of unscented and fragrance-free, so companies can slap that label any product. I remember being at a conference and requesting that the organizers make some sort of announcement asking people not to spray perfume in the conference areas. * Supplements can seep through skin causing prominent body odors. Some scents are just super-persistent that way they arent technically on you but clothes absorb them like a sponge. Thats rough, though I hope you can work it out. Being told I smell when I know I dont would make me feel a tad insane and like I couldnt trust my senses. Stay calm. Thats not happening, sonny Jim.. (It just fell in! She even went to my manager, who pulled me aside and asked me about things like deodorant and bath products. Just make sure you keep on top of it. I smell :(. It's reached the point where it feels like juvenile bullying and I honestly don't know what to do. Does anything in your home smell like patchouli? Many cleaning products made me gag or gave me a headache, I couldnt stand the smell of my old shampoo anymore, and I had to go sleep elsewhere the night my husband made cabbage in the crock pot. . Im also all for respecting that people respond differently to things so I hope this isnt just me going off my own instincts, but I think banning wearing perfume and colognes in the workplace is acceptable in a way that banning lotion and dryer sheets and bodywash at home just is not. When I know I dont use any kind of reaction you get body wash this point and get cooperation. 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