What do you do when a colleague stinks?

There's a new starter in the office and he smells horrid. It's a dirty, studenty, damp smell and it knocks me sick. Should I bring it up with his boss? I am not sure I could say anything to him myself, I'd be too embarrassed and wouldn't know how to word it.

Should these things be addressed or should people be allowed to stink at work if they choose to?

We have a chap here who is the same.  Its a fusty grimy smell rather than B.O smell.  He frequently gets pulled in by my director and "reminded" about his hygiene issues (or lack of them) but in a couple of weeks its back to the same old smell. Its a really tricky situation, but I would mention it to your boss and let them deal with it. 

I'd have to say something to him.  I dont cope well with smelly people.

Vikster - That's it, it reminds me of a damp tent or something.

Trickers - What would you say?

Panjita:

Trickers - What would you say?

 

"I dont mean to be rude and I'm not sure that you realise but you really need to do something about the smell you are emitting/omitting".  I'd then make a bad joke to lighten the situation.

*sniff*

Theres a funny smell in here!?!

And then hope they get the hint, it is a tough one, cause you really dont want to upset people, cause alot of the time I dont think people relise!

Trickers:

"I dont mean to be rude and I'm not sure that you realise but you really need to do something about the smell you are emitting/omitting".  I'd then make a bad joke to lighten the situation.

I'd love to be so bold. I don't think I could do it.

I've walked in the office before and said things like "phooooo it stinks in here" etc. I might just do that a bit more often. His boss sits right next to him, I'm surprised she's not noticed or said anything.

Hints dont tend to work.  Well they dont in Smelly P's case anyway, its like water off a ducks back.  Not that his back has ever seen water anyway im sure! 

Being direct is the only approach. 

Deff speak to your boss about it and don't tackle it yourself. Your boss should know how to deal with this situation.

I think I'd have to wade in spraying air freshener. I'm not good with horrid stenches and have been known to gag when passing a smelly shitebag in the supermarket.

Panjita:

It's a dirty, studenty, damp smell

Hey, that's a bit harsh!

Panjita:

Should I bring it up with his boss?

I wouldn't go above his head - I'd be utterly humiliated to think people had complained about such a thing without addressing me first.

We had a similar thread no too long ago. I think I said I'd make a joke about it, complain about the smell, sniff my own armpits as if it could be me, and then say to him "Phew, is it you, have you been for a run or something? Hang on, there's some deodorant around here somewhere" (you need to have some men's deodorant lying around, as if another employee has left it by accident). I'd go for full jokey, not looking remotely concerned/worried (or he'll know you've been thinking about it).

BumbleBrat:

I think I'd have to wade in spraying air freshener. I'm not good with horrid stenches and have been known to gag when passing a smelly shitebag in the supermarket.

Exactly this!

I don't know how anyone could go round smelling as bad as some people do!!

ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown:

Panjita:

It's a dirty, studenty, damp smell

Hey, that's a bit harsh!

Panjita:

Should I bring it up with his boss?

I wouldn't go above his head - I'd be utterly humiliated to think people had complained about such a thing without addressing me first.

We had a similar thread no too long ago. I think I said I'd make a joke about it, complain about the smell, sniff my own armpits as if it could be me, and then say to him "Phew, is it you, have you been for a run or something? Hang on, there's some deodorant around here somewhere" (you need to have some men's deodorant lying around, as if another employee has left it by accident). I'd go for full jokey, not looking remotely concerned/worried (or he'll know you've been thinking about it).

This is the thing though, it's not a sweaty/BO smell and "Studenty" is one of the best descriptions I could think of. It's like a damp, musty, tent smell as if his clothes haven't been washed or dried properly. Like a damp cloth. It's horrid.

When I've mentioned the smell in the office in the past, everyone else has a had blank face so I'm wondering whether it's just my bloodhound nose, in which case, I should probably just keep my gob shut.

I told the man in the queue in front of me at the Post Office yesterday that Wilkinson had a great deal on Lynx anti-perspirant... I dont know if he took any notice.

Anyway, I would tell this person's boss.

I'm a bit obsessed with clothes smelling nice.