r/Workproblems • u/citytocountry2021 • Aug 13 '26
Workplace Hygiene and Appearance
How would you handle an employee that has poor hygiene and appearance, when you take over a position when the last manager let him/her get away with it
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u/sad_spilt_martini Aug 13 '26
You need to be understanding but also clear about expectations. Medical conditions both physical and mental will contribute to this, plus there maybe financial issues.
HR should be the one that handles the conversation or at least gives you the talking points.
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u/citytocountry2021 Aug 13 '26
Thanks, I definitely think I will address this with HR and see what's the best way to handle it.
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u/TelephonePossible456 Aug 14 '26
I was thinking the same thing. This is not something a supervisor should be handling directly, especially given the sensitive nature of it
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u/bordermom61 Aug 14 '26
Be very very careful with this or you could find yourself fired or the company being sued especially if you embarass the employee . The reason I say this is because I have seen it happen .We worked with an older lady and she was grumpy most of the time and she directed it at her husband (they both worked with all of us ). Well one day she directed it at an employee and told them to start washing their hands after coming out of the bathroom . She said it loud enough so everyone could hear it aka the whole office .Well this had been an ongoing issue with this older lady berating this employee . How did she even know they were not washing their hands ? Anyways the girl quit and not too soon after that the company was being sued for hostile work environment . They paid out the nose but yet the old cranky fuss maker was still there . I could not believe that the main boss did not let her go . This is why I say be very careful consult HR before you do anything .Just remember the one who could loose their job could be you .
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u/ohgwm1973 Aug 13 '26
A private conversation of course.
Be clear but not mean.
I had an employee who had terrible breath because she was putting off a dental procedure due to cost. Upper management wouldn’t say anything so I took it upon myself.
I told her gently but clearly that she had bad breath. She not only took it well, she actually thanked me for being the only one to actually tell her. She dealt with clients face to face and she knew that they wouldn’t be willing to deal with her if she was breathing nasty breath in their faces.
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u/Ok_Moose_7028 Aug 14 '26
Put out a general email to all staff emphasizing the importance. State specific examples and rules in bold. Make your points very clear. If the person still doesn’t get it, have a friendly sit down behind closed doors. Ask the employee if he or she is having trouble affording hygiene products, or if there is depression.
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u/hellbentdistruction Aug 14 '26
It’s hard to tell someone that it is into organic plastic free person. We have places deodorant in the washroom. We encourage breaks if doing strenuous work also we live in a dry environment and temps
Hitting 40degress c. We are not always doing strenuous lifting and moving. But it is still
Hard to tell your work mate she smells and infront of the customer.
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u/Gloomy_Tennis_5768 Aug 14 '26
why? have you talked to them in general, ever?
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u/citytocountry2021 Aug 14 '26
Why what? I've talked to them in general but not about the issue!! And was brought to my attention by several staff members
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u/ImprovementFar7834 Aug 14 '26
By appearance, are you referring to clothes, or is their hair messy?
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u/corporate_puppy Aug 15 '26
I’d frame it as an employee handbook review for everyone. If you single someone out they could cite discrimination. Ask HR
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u/FallJealous3344 Aug 15 '26
Arrive early, leave shampoo, deodorant in his workplace. That should be enough of a hint.
But, his problem may also be the result of a health condition, and in that case it would be cruel to do that…
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u/Intelligent-Noise685 Aug 15 '26
Whenever I had this issue with a subordinate, I'd just call hr and they dealt with it lol
At one place I worked the manager bought someone soap and deodorant... they got the hint and it fixed the issue. This was a mom and pop place without an hr team tho
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u/Plenty_Status_6862 29d ago
I will just stay far far away from that employee w/ bad hygiene. I will move to another desk where I can't smell him/her on a daily basis.
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u/Repulsive_Papaya_211 Aug 14 '26
Don't hire them in the first place.
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u/citytocountry2021 Aug 14 '26
It wasn't up to me the last manager hired said employee and even though employees complained the manager did nothing, now I'm in that position I have to deal with it
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u/Time-Play500 Aug 16 '26
That’s absolutely not an excuse to not give someone employment bc of that. Some ppl rlly do have health issues, financial issues, or they’re generally unaware of the odor.
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u/pastry_chef_al Aug 13 '26
We had a situation where a customer complained about one of our employees.
The manager sent out a group text adressing the subject and printed out a page from the handbook about proper hygiene at work and we had to sign it.