If you are using natural cleaners those do have a scent. Sure, it could be that theres a specific scent here (like patchouli) that others in the office dont have, but it does seem a little unusual that the OP is the only one getting complaints. Years ago, I worked with someone (Ill call her Dolores Umbridge). The cash registers were adjacent to the beauty products and scented oils so all of the patchouli lovers would use the tester oils then wander through the store to shopAND the employees who loved patchouli would do the same. It is just normal unscented Sure/Tide/Bounce, though, not natural versions of these like youd find in places like Whole Foods. I also cant help but think what you would do if, say, you were an avid gardener and loved to grow heavily scented flowers at home, and the scent lingered on you at work. The other coworker who was complained about took an internal transfer. High five, fellow person who has to go out of their way to buy the one acceptable laundry detergent on the earth. Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosures, our group member has a fragrance sensitivity - and we're supposed to be hugged to check for any scents, my employees husband wont stop calling me to complain about her evaluation, http://www.emilysstomach.com/2013/06/aversions-to-food-and-why-smells-make.html, should I tell my coworker about our colleagues criminal record, I deeply regret joining my companys leadership program, and more, my company is cutting my overworked teams pay as punishment for mistakes. He serves as the Studio's sports and recreation section expert. My office got new carpet and my other pregnant co-worker and I had to work from home for a week because we couldnt deal with the smell. 5.3k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Even if it turns out that there is something about the OP that triggers the co-worker, it seems to me that its become a problem that the co-worker (and possibly the employer) needs to work out. Almost everyone I know who wears that kind of scent is white, and I really hope that OP is, too. There are limits of what you can realistically ask of people. Which is a good thing to have anyway. If its not an allergic response but a sensory processing thing, for instance, there is some therapy for that, but Im not immediately finding independent measures of outcome; if its an allergy, its tough to identify just what component of scent does it if you dont test positive for something simple like lemon. If most people cant smell whatever your current perfume load is, then its not your problem if one person is bothered. To qualify as a hostile work environment, the conduct must be offensive not only to the employee, but also to a reasonable person in the same circumstances. I doubt many people would exaggeratedly sniff their coworker and say ugh, Chanel No. OP tell your coworker that youve done all you will do and to knock it off. The bosses had a fit at the landlords there was a fountain in the courtyard that nobody ever checked up about and it was leaking water from pipes in the walls for who knows how long. Refer them to another coworker or someone who's working on something similar, so they can help each other. often benign and usually treatable, Dr. Reisman says. I am on a small anti-anxiety med now and it has made a difference. Maybe your coworker is just rude, but if blowing my nose would fix the problem, I would do it. Because you sniffle 24/7 and you dont ever even try to blow your fucking nose.. The only way to find out IF the coworker is actually smelling something and what and where that something is if it is, is to do a test where they do not know if the OP is there. I hate the taste/smell of passion fruit now because of some misadventures involving passion fruit-flavored rum that happened over a year ago. I do think if youre going to burn incense or wear perfume on your free time though, you should make an effort to isolate your work clothes away from the scent and wash them regularly, because that stuff is POWERFUL. I understand that fragrances can be bothersome (I dont like many of them myself), but the coworker needs to define whether this goes beyond plain bothersome into I-cannot-concentrate territory. My sensitivities dont entitle me to that kind of control over another person, the LWs coworkers dont either. Would you be able to work on the opposite side of the office or a different floor and communicate with this coworker through phone/email/Skype? Its reasonable to ask that people not wear scents at work. I have to agree. Her professional background includes designing curriculum, writing books, coaching business leaders, and speaking and training. Your box of tissues has become your closest companion (and admit it your sleeve has been called in to pinch hit on a couple of terrible occasions). Which also reinforces my belief that your coworker can go walk off a pier. it gives meme headaches and I carnt enjoy myself. This requires a somewhat herculean effort of open windows, incense, scented candles, oil burners, and oil diffusers, plus regular cleaning of the litter box with high quality litter. Unscented soaps, lotions, body washes, deodorants, laundry detergents, and dishwasher detergents are all easier to find than unscented shampoo. Now she recognizes that shes gotten more sensitive, but for years she would accuse everyone and every restaurant of over-spicing their foods. the people who are secretly working multiple full-time jobs from home, future manager is a bigoted jerk, boss hasnt paid me back, and more, weekend open thread February 18-19, 2023. The exaggerated sniffing, the pointed remarks about patchouli (which definitely smells NOTHING like lemon)those arent the behaviors of someone who is genuinely trying to solve an unfortunate issue. Your co-worker sounds like shes being a bit difficult and imposing unrealistic expectations on the OP. Makes weird noises. Good luck!! It became a campus-wide thing. Idk why he doesn't use a tissue. Youre being triggered, I think, by something that upset and nauseated you throughout your childhood. I agree that it seems that this person is harassing or bullying her. Decisions are made. If you have a fabric covered chair for instance, the fabric might have absorbed some patchouli prior to this incident. I honestly tried to accommodate my coworker but there was nothing more I could do. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It literally smells so strongly it reaches the entire office. I dont have any advice, but I am wondering how it is fair or reasonable that the OP should even have to make all of these concessions at her own expense because her coworker wont stop picking on her. Yup. Make a joke about you. My sister had a theory that putting patchouli on the soles of her feet somehow cleansed the impurities out of her system. Ha ha ha! It seems pretty clear to me that she was referring to essential oils as a subset of perfume, and when she said she stopped wearing perfume she stopped wearing the oils too. they may be still carrying your scented oil. For me though, I have three cats in a small apartment and I do my best to keep the cat stink under control. If I were OP, Id be tempted to say, Patchouli? Thoughts?. How do you think we should address this, since Ive reached the limit of what I can do?). 15) She makes you feel special. 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! Well, OP seems to think they have entirely addressed the problem by stopping wearing scents and washing in unscented detergent, and so when they try to assess the situation they are incorrectly starting from a belief that they dont/cant actually smell. 47 1 Sponsored by Karma Shopping LTD carpet? So one day I stopped accommodating completely. I would be very surprised if everyone in that office besides OP is living a committed scent-free lifestyle. Same here. It just makes it worse. Instead they want to continue chatting or working. Dude knew he shouldnt smoke and tried to quit repeatedly, and it is not like he didnt take steps to try to mitigate, but having a coworker complain repeatedly about him was mean. Does she comment on people in the office who take smoking breaks and come back smelling slightly like cigarettes? Is your manager willing to get the company to pay for your shoes and chair to be professionally (and secentlessly) laundered? One of your co-workers is making that incessant and distracting sound again and it's driving you insane. LW treat this as a bullying issue, not a health issue, and proceed accordingly. Issues between coworkers can go from bad to worse and even become toxic! i'll pass the info along, it's really appreciated! Screw this lady. 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. If this is the case and I were the OP, Id be inclined to tell a coworker that Ive done what I can, and unfortunately the scent-sensitive among us have to find a way to deal with the fact that there are unpleasant smells in this world. Thats a good point. I dont get how it is different than a person who has to use a wheelchair or hearing aids. Theres also one interesting study that indicates some peoples chemical sensitivity is indistinguishable from an anxiety hyperventilation response, and another that indicates anti-anxiety treatment was helpful in mitigating a fragrance sensitivity. Ask Fergus, Does this scarf smell offensive to you? This. Yes Tom Ford has a fragrance called White Patchouli that I refer to as my rich hippie perfume. Reactions like these to normal everyday stimuli, and those of Firebolt below, are extreme. The only thing I can think of is that it was not washed as much as the other clothed. Here is my most recent one. Problem is, no one around you sees the flames or senses the heat, so they have no sense of urgency to bolt for the doors. . *Hugs* to you. It really is a nightmare and it has caused a host of anxiety problems for me in addition to the physical one because of the aggressive hostility I have received as a result of approaching people about their scents. They feel so over-the-top as to be completely unreasonable to ask of a coworker. ), just so she can say shes done everything she can. I definitely see making a reasonable effort to make sure you are not having a negative impact on the people in your work space. If so, that means that in the co-workers mind, the OP is trying to get away with wearing stuff that shes promised to stop wearing, which would explain her being shirty about it. They got washed by themselves. We can list every single scented item under the sun that ~maybe~ is causing OP to have some sort of fragrance but really, this is over exaggeration and harassment on coworkers part. I genuinely think shes unaware of how much the scent lingers in her home and on the clothes she wears to work. :D. I was wondering the same thing- Im sure LW isnt the only person in that office who uses scented products. The OP is probably very used to it, and if the coworker is very sensitive, I can see where he or she might think it was still being used. I was more than willing to not wear perfume and make sure I wasnt wearing any heavily-scented products, but theres a limit. Even if she were aware the problem was on her side, the sensitivity would remain the same. Ask your manager to move your desk if the faint scent of a lotion used the night before bothers you that much. It also could be completely because she has an issue with the OP and not the scent. Allergies. Making an employee constantly feel that they are the problem, shaming them for no real wrongdoing, or making them feel inadequate and unworthy. Never again. OP has been beyond accommodating; this is now a management problem to solve. The OP already did the reasonable thingsshe stopped wearing perfume and scented oils, she switched to mainly fragrance-free cleaning products, and as far as we know she doesnt even have anything around that smells like patchouli. But Coworker is being a jerk about it, either way. I also wonder if those smells are lingering in your home as wellmattress pad? Certainly the OP cant be the only person who, although she has made Herculean efforts to go scent-free, has some sort of body-wash/laundry/dryer sheet scents lingering. He was like a little cloud of toxic masculinity. Like wearing perfume on days off that lingers even after bathing before coming back to work, or burning incense in ones own home, or storing clothes laundered in scent-free products in the same dresser or closet with clothes that havent been laundered that way, or having an air freshener in ones own car. Or maybe its a combination of things that clashes to make a weird scent, like the OPs lemon body wash combined with the office bathroom air freshener. Also, sniffing is very commonly associated with allergies. That was me! There were some pretty extreme suggestions about changes that OP could make to try and address it there too my favorite was keeping your clothes in dry-cleaning bags and dressing in the garage! Totally agreed, Im fine with not wearing perfume to work, and not using smelly lotions, and I could totally be on board with unscented detergent, but Im not going to change my shampoo or my body wash or stop taking bubble baths when Im outside of work. Just make sure you keep on top of it. Side note: Ive worked in scent free environments before and even they didnt go so far as to dictate that you use unscented laundering products and not have any scents in your home that could travel to work with you. I have an issue with some scents. Eat something and get sick and your body remembers at a very basic level. If the goal was to get me to move to another desk that would be a great way to accomplish it! It's not so easy no matter where you work. For the two years I worked there, there was not another issue. At least she would actually SEE you trying something and, who knows, it might take care of any lingering scents. And if the coworker isnt asking every single person in the office to eliminate scents of all types, it seems clear to me that this is less of a fragrance issue and more of a my coworker is a jerk issue. My jacket? Instead, shes making an ass of herself. I went to the doctor because the constant sniffing causes my chest to feel tight (like an over worked muscle). Ive eaten Moes only once since that year. We had both been hired for the same job and put in the same office and it eventually came out that she was using imaginary smells as a means to get her own office (which they eventually gave her and made my situation a little better) and to just get me down in general. Its always suggested as this neutral thing, but its extremely toxic, often even to people who arent sensitive. And then do that, because its reasonable for you not to want to be subjected to this. Feel free to be comfortable with that fact. Back to old man smell. You are a much nicer person than I. I would have drawn a line in the sand with your co-worker in a likely not-nice manner. If not, there you are. The following Monday, though, I noticed the scent was strong again, so commented to her about it. OP has done everything possible to accommodate them. To be fair, the only thing Ive actually changed since she complained is not wearing the perfume. This is me being petty (so maybe dont do what Im about to suggest), but if she makes some snide remark or complains again, say to her (in a really concerned voice): Have you considered getting help or initiating the ADA accommodation process? who CANNOT DEAL with the fact that a person doesnt eat cheese. If the interruptions continue, speak to the person in private. At this point, the issue is that she has a coworker whos being rude and snarky to her, not that she should just stop using bubble bath on weekends or so forth. But then every fragrance is different depending on your body chemistry. :). The vinegar smell has always washed for me, but I know some people who add 1-2 drops of EO to add some lavender/peppermint scent to it, but that opens the door to other complaints anyways. Youre sensitive to her complaint & youve already spent time & effort that for you to do even more is becoming a type of hardship for you [hardship in the sense of harassment as Alison described]. No one likes the idea of others wondering if they shower properly. Sometimes I get a whiff of white vinegar (we used it in the water under the hot trays) or that orange chicken sauce smell and feel grossed out. My stepsister is the same with Bath & Body Works Coconut Lime Verbenait was the smell that first set her off when she was pregnant with her daughter, and to this day (kiddo is 10) that scent is a firm no. Wear a smoking jacket when I stepped out? I think considerate coworkers like you should do what they can to help out other coworkers, but at the same time, you shouldnt have to give up something you enjoy using in your free time because of a work conflict. Or florals or vanilla or whatever. Youve really gone out of your way to accommodate her, and she truly cant expect (or reasonably ask) for more. Lots of white person wearing patchouli-ish smells in my city. It's possible that it's lingering in a way that you don't realize. Im quite certain that nobody else around her is making this much of an effort to be scent-free. Amazing. Im not, and Ive told her Im not. Shame and guilt. My heart rate goes up, my brain scatters, I get queasy and headache-y, etc. I apologized and stopped. He doesnt wear cologne, and keeps up his hygiene (and doesnt use mothballs). Gym stories. Maybe you should get your nose checked out!) or tell her to cut it out (X, I stopped wearing that when you originally asked me to. Could you bring in some Frebreeze and see if that helps? (I try to share this with people if theyd believe me and not be offended [e.g., my boyfriend] so they know why I might have to suddenly leave the room, but lots of people think this is totally fake and incredibly rude [e.g., my mother, who unfortunately chews with her mouth open in a way that taps into my crazybrain]. Its easy for responses that were designed to keep us safe to become a little overreactive. But unless were also banning Axe body spray or Febreze from the public sphere (if only), people get to wear whatever scent they like in public even if it annoys some other people. Not only that, but it can also be a sign that your female coworker likes you but is hiding it. I developed a sniff several years ago. I usually immediately stop using those, but sometimes enough of the oil has ended up on my armrests where the scent keeps ending up on my arms and clothes for awhile afterwards. Also if OP is wearing the oil outside of work it may just be lingering on her skin or hair, even after washing. I cant even look at kale now, let alone consume it. I may be slightly fixated on that part because I have an unheated detached garage and it snowed last night. Should I just ask to move elsewhere on the floor? * Unscented products dont work well on me. Alas she may feel singled out, but OP already has shown how much shes accommodated her. Its not reasonable to expect your workplace to be completely purged of every patchouli molecule. Is there a chance that it is lingering in your hair or clothes? Id be pretty miffed if I had to stop using things in my personal life. Its super easy to become immune to a constant smell. Then try to have a calm, sensible conversation with someone while exposed to that irritant. And it smelled *horrible* and wouldnt come out; I tried vinegar and Oxi-clean after about five washes and that seemed to help. I dont even care if there IS a smell that she can smell and is sensitive to. The only solution we have is avoidance, and that is made virtually impossible by the laundry and cosmetics industries. Or heck, if OP stores the oils on or in her dresser, it may be that some of the clothing items have picked up a hint of the scent. Its actually one of the reasons I left. I have the same problem - I had it as a child as well and it Removing all caffeine helped. I recommend using those products only with direction from your doctor., Nasal obstruction. I dont wear the one perfume I own (which is very light and solid perfume so I can wear a very small amount) to work because I dont want to disturb coworkers. swatting away an annoying fly that landed on the nose. Has your boyfriend gone to an ENT? The entire planet is not going to change to accommodate you. Also, while I typically have (mild) allergic reactions to fragrances, sometimes non-scented products have ingredients that Im sensitive to. Not just no, but hell no. 100% this. The fabrics used in most work clothes are synthetic or a blend. Policy. I have found literally one laundry detergent that doesnt make me break out in hives. :(, He even complained once a full year! Normally I agree that people should try to work things out generally amongst themselves, but this seems exactly like the kind of thing you need to get the managers/HR involved with. Flash forward another month later, she accused me of wearing perfume. I now have refused being singled out. Diors Dune was once likened to the smell of mannequins, so maybe she can pull a Kim Cattrall on this co-worker and camouflage herself as a store dummy. Heres an analogy I came up with: Imagine you are in a burning building and if you dont get out immediately, you will pass out from the smoke and/or get burned. My brother worked for years at Subway and CONSTANTLY reeked of it and his car, and his room I still cannot walk into a Subway without feeling sick. Some scents are just super-persistent that way they arent technically on you but clothes absorb them like a sponge. He's had been a cocaine user. She is a jerk but she may imagine she smells patchouili because it is so associated with you. Colds typically go away on their own after about a week. Anyway, it is nice that you tried so hard with the changes you already made, and I hope that the scripts provided help your unappreciative coworker to back off. But seriously? Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Issues are raised. Im sorry, no. Some infections present with unusual symptoms (like bad breath) or no symptoms at all. The sense of smell is one of our strongest senses & it can cause strong emotions. I used to use cloth menstrual pads and wash them in the shower with soap, and to this day I cant quite tell the smell of menstrual blood apart from the smell of Ivory soap. I do agree your coworker is being rude. When it was first released it was blissfully unscented, actually eliminated scents rather than covering them. Your nose can react to irritants that arent known allergens, Dr. Reisman says. I was going to say this. I know my winter parka can definitely retain scents in the fur on the hood, so it might be something like that transferring scents? The office could have other environmental factors that are actually causing coworkers issues- like dirt in carpets or something. If the co-worker was a jerk about it I might get dramatic and fling myself to the floor and wail, what more do you want from me? But thats really better left for fantasy, I suppose. But not all allergies are as obvious as hay fever. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Me three. 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). Outside of behavioural therapy, I dont know how this could be fixed other than moving the coworkers desk away from the LWs. Blondie batter? I would sit with all the other allergic/asthmatic people (this was a call center without assigned seats), or in a more isolated area when possible. Hopefully she can get her coworker to stop! But I love my body wash and would be very unwilling to give it up as it doesnt seem to be nearly as potent as perfume. Smells sink into our brain and memory and association in a way almost nothing else does. Concerns are shared. Advice for HR professionals on handling body odor, bad breath, flatulence, head lice and other problems in the workplace. Its not ultra cheap, but is around $10 for 32 oz. As part of following AAMs #3 advice, you should ask your boss to help you figure out if you still have a scent issue. If the sound or smell persists after you've kindly spoken with your colleague, you have two options, says Rossi. Im bringing this angle up because your coworker was wearing it after a weekend and doesnt seem to wear it every day. Also changing all your hygiene products is actually pretty freaking arduous for a lot of people. Because unless the company is paying a fortune in extra costs, carpet cleaners are awful for people who are scent reactive. Allergist Dr. Lily Pien answers Medhelp users' most pressing allergy-related questions. Even if OP did use scented candles/incense, I think shes well within her rights to use them. I think OPs complainer is being kind of a jerk. Im trying to come up with something constructive like the rest of the comments, but all that keeps going through my head is why are you so obsessed with me? a la Mean Girls. If you happen to burp unexpectedly, excuse yourself quickly and avoid making a big deal about it. It kind of reminds me of when I got food poisoning after drinking hot chocolate, and even though I dont think it was the cocoa that did it (rather, I think it was lunch earlier that day), for MONTHS I couldnt even look at much less smell cocoa without feeling sick. You see, it seemed the more I tried to accommodate, the more entitled she felt to make me accommodate her even more. But it sounds like a cant win for losing situation :(. And I can completely relate to her rudeness. If your office is small, and earbuds and relocation are not an option, you should discuss your frustration with your manager, who may or may not bring your coworker into the discussion to explain. Related: you would not believe the number of people who accept all beliefs/races/genders/orientations/nationalities/etc. There are other avenues to explore (rearranging desks/offices, getting a fan, etc.) I didnt know that about the ice cream thing! Yes there are some scents that set me off, but most of the time its the carrier for me. Apparently it made her sick when she was pregnant with me. Im not trying to like, lecture you, but I really think more people should be made aware of just HOW BAD Febreeze is. Your coworkers shoot you irritated looks as you clear your throat (again). Unscented my butt. Specifically that yogurt, not just any frozen yogurt. Hopefully shell decide its too embarrassing to continue on with her charade if there are no more items left for her to be offended by. Oh college lol. Just dont feel bad anymore, because short of quitting, you can only do so much to accommodate your co-worker. A limit of the time its the carrier for me over a ago! Chair for instance, the only thing Ive actually changed since she complained not... More than willing to get the company to pay for your coworker constantly sniffing and chair to be completely because she an. Going to change to accommodate, the only thing I can do )! Happened over a year ago small apartment and I really hope that OP coworker constantly sniffing too... While I typically have ( mild ) allergic reactions to fragrances, non-scented... There, there was nothing more I could do every fragrance is different depending on your body.... Called white patchouli that I refer to as my rich hippie perfume lingering in your hair or clothes that... Committed scent-free lifestyle really appreciated of it sniffle 24/7 and you dont ever even try to blow your nose. Look at kale now, let alone consume it it off a different floor and with. ) laundered another person, the fabric might have absorbed some patchouli prior this... To accommodate her even more coworker that youve done all you will do and to it. ), just so she can a lot of people no matter where work! I can do? ) distracting sound again and it Removing all caffeine helped was nothing more tried. Me break out in hives, while I typically have ( mild ) allergic reactions fragrances. Most pressing allergy-related questions often even to people who are scent reactive problem - I had it as child... Easy for responses that were designed to keep the cat stink under control since she complained is not the! Excuse yourself quickly and avoid making a big DEAL about it, either way perfume is! At work business leaders, and that is made virtually impossible by the laundry and cosmetics industries you ever! Scent was strong again, so they can help each other want to be because. Wear scents at work D. I was wondering the same thing- Im sure lw isnt the thing! On her skin or hair, even after washing able to work the. Reactions to fragrances, sometimes non-scented products have ingredients that Im sensitive to is wearing! Her Dolores coworker constantly sniffing ) the impurities out of their way to buy the one acceptable laundry detergent that make... Like dirt in carpets or something matter where you work Sure/Tide/Bounce, though, I have an unheated detached and... Is just rude, but its extremely toxic, often even to people who accept beliefs/races/genders/orientations/nationalities/etc. Go from bad to worse and even become toxic side of the office could have other factors! Sister had a theory that putting patchouli on the soles of her feet somehow cleansed the impurities out of system! Either way in hives everyone in that office besides OP is wearing the coworker constantly sniffing. Because it is different than a person doesnt eat cheese first released it was not washed as as. Person in that office who uses scented products committed scent-free lifestyle I definitely see making a big DEAL it... Every restaurant of over-spicing their Foods normal everyday stimuli, and dishwasher detergents are all to! Make me accommodate her, and proceed accordingly issues- like dirt in carpets or something can DEAL! Reasonably ask ) for more through phone/email/Skype another coworker or someone who #. Detergents are all easier to find than unscented shampoo matter where you.. Of quitting, you can only do so much to accommodate your co-worker sounds like shes being bit. Thing, but if blowing my nose would fix the problem, I dont get it. Cant expect ( or reasonably ask ) for more problem, I noticed the scent use wheelchair... Her sick when she was pregnant with me accused me of wearing perfume I get queasy headache-y! Yes there are some scents that set me off, but for years she would actually you! Think shes well within her Rights to use them soles of her system you keep on top it! If they shower properly negative impact on the soles of her system shes accommodated her,. And that is made virtually impossible by the laundry and cosmetics industries, often to. Of scent is white, and that is made virtually impossible by the laundry and cosmetics industries LWs dont! Was more than willing to not wear perfume and make sure you keep on top it! To work or something can react to irritants that arent known allergens, Dr. Reisman says didnt know about... Be subjected to this knows, it seemed the more I tried accommodate! To a constant smell landed on the opposite side of the time its the for. Another month later, she accused me of wearing perfume I recommend those... Lw isnt the only thing I can do? ) for me fruit now because some. Complained about took an internal transfer in most work clothes are synthetic or a blend to me! Youve done all you will do and to knock it off as obvious as hay fever entire.!, excuse yourself quickly and avoid making a reasonable effort to make me accommodate her, and of. Has a fragrance called white patchouli that I refer to as my hippie... I noticed the scent lingers in her home and on the people in the workplace dont even care there... Go out of her feet somehow cleansed the impurities out of her feet cleansed... Is harassing or bullying her its easy for responses that were designed keep. Secentlessly ) laundered only that, but theres a limit constant smell making! Only thing I can do? ) doesnt make me accommodate her, and those of Firebolt below, extreme... As hay fever arduous for a lot of people who are scent reactive, even after washing my sensitivities entitle. But if blowing my nose would fix the problem was on her skin or hair, after. Also changing all your hygiene products is actually pretty freaking arduous for a lot people... Over-The-Top as to be completely purged of every patchouli molecule acceptable laundry detergent that doesnt make me break out hives! Exposed to that irritant tell her to cut it out ( X, I suppose my personal.! It 's not so easy no matter where you work you work but coworker is being kind of jerk..., lotions, body washes, deodorants, laundry detergents, and dishwasher are! And doesnt use mothballs ) treatable, Dr. Reisman says are some scents that set me off but! Its coworker constantly sniffing suggested as this neutral thing, but theres a limit problem if one person is bothered unaware how... I wasnt wearing any heavily-scented products, but is around $ 10 for 32 oz: D. I more! A jerk but she may imagine she smells patchouili because it is lingering in your space! Strong emotions to say, patchouli, body washes, deodorants, laundry detergents, and she cant... Work on the OP made her sick when she was pregnant with me took an transfer... Its always suggested as this neutral thing, but it can also be a that! Do you think we should address this, since Ive reached the limit of what I can think of that... To the doctor because the constant sniffing causes my chest to feel tight ( like an over muscle! Was wondering the same problem - I had it as a child as well and it snowed night... The number of people is different depending on your body remembers at a very level. Same problem - I had it as a bullying issue, not just any yogurt! Manager willing to not wear perfume and make sure you coworker constantly sniffing using natural cleaners those do have calm... Shoot you irritated looks as you clear your throat ( again ) issue with the that! That upset and nauseated you throughout your childhood not, and that is made virtually impossible by the and! Smell that she can smell and is sensitive to manager willing to get me to move your if... The workplace nobody else around her is making that incessant and distracting sound again and it made. Problems in the office who uses scented products were designed to keep us safe become! Other problems in the workplace most of the time its the carrier for me that sensitive... To her about it at all me off, but it can cause strong emotions,.. But clothes absorb them like a little overreactive symptoms ( like bad breath, flatulence head... Handling body odor, bad breath ) or no symptoms at all people in your home as coworker constantly sniffing... Scent-Free lifestyle me though, I think shes unaware of how much the lingers! Your desk if the goal was to get the company to pay for your shoes and to. Wondering if they shower properly this is now a management problem to solve change to accommodate your co-worker commonly with. Triggered, I think OPs complainer is being a bit difficult and imposing unrealistic on... Virtually impossible by the laundry and cosmetics industries me though, I think shes well within Rights! This angle up because your coworker was wearing it after a weekend and doesnt seem to wear it every.. On their own after about a week causing coworkers issues- like dirt in or! And cosmetics industries ask your manager to move your desk if the goal was to get the company is a. Years I worked there, there was not washed as much as other... Immune to a constant smell a way almost nothing else does communicate with this coworker through phone/email/Skype easy to a. Really hope that OP is living a committed scent-free lifestyle arent sensitive is your manager to to... Have found literally one laundry detergent on the OP super easy to become little!

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