Is there someone in your place of work who has personal hygiene issues? Whether it’s dirty clothes or bad body odour, research has found that it can really affect other workers when a colleague has cleanliness problems. But how should an employer or manager handle the situation?
Approaching an employee about their personal hygiene habits can be a difficult conversation to tackle. However, ignoring the problem is not an effective solution, you are putting other employees in an unpleasant work environment and running the risk of alienating the employee involved, from their colleagues.
Dignity
Handling the situation with dignity is essential. Don’t rush in after only one incidence of poor hygiene, wait for a pattern to emerge. And consider whether the issue is really impacting on their work and the overall working environment.
When you have the conversation be sensitive and make sure it is in a private setting. Don’t beat around the bush, prolonging the conversation and making everyone feel awkward and turning it in to a bigger deal. Equally don’t blurt out that they smell, and people are complaining.
You could start the conversation by asking them how things are generally to gauge if there are underlying issues and to determine if there is a medical reason. Ensure that you are clear, describe objectively the issue and how you want it to be resolved, giving the employee an opportunity to respond.
If you aren’t awkward or uncomfortable when talking to the employee, then it will be less embarrassing for them. Be reassuring and supportive throughout and make it clear that this is not linked to their performance. Explain the impact that the issue is having and why it needs to be addressed.
You could ask how often and regularly they change clothes and if they are able to use personal hygiene products. Offering advice and information, for example, about how some fabrics aren’t breathable so need to be washed more frequently.
Handling the situation sensitively and in a dignified manner is a must in these circumstances. As a manager your actions and behaviour are observed by all of your employees, so how you respond to and deal with situations in the workplace will ultimately define you as a leader.