Smelly Co-Worker:

Posted by Melissa Dylan Mar 31, 2008

Wow, that sucks. And unfortunately, it looks like your hands are tied. If HR won't address it, your only choice is to suck it up (bleh) or get creative.

1.) Fake an allergy. If you're convincing enough, you can probably even get a real doctor to write you a note to bring to HR as proof that her perfume must go.

2.) Parade in a number of even more obnoxious scents--of your choosing. Things that you might love that will overwhelm the scent. Indian food, pachouli, dirty socks. Wait, I said stuff you LOVE. Hm. Get creative. It won't make her stop wearing her perfume, but at least it might drown it out. And if she complains, ask for a compromise--no more Korean Barbecue if she agrees to leave the perfume at home.

3.) Surround yourself with fans. Aim them away from you. Keep potpourri or scented candles on your desk. This will cause an air-barrier that her perfume can not penetrate. Note: probably some sort of fire hazard.

4.) Circulate an e-mail about overuse of perfume and it's effect on aging. Make sure it's one of those forwarded-forwarded-forwarded things so it looks like it didn't come from you. Emphasize how too much perfume causes wrinkles, age spot, saggy skin, and early onset menopause. If you don't feel this will concern your co-worker enough, emphasize that too much perfume causes flatulence.

5.) Screw tact. Level with her. It goes like this. "Your perfume bothers me. Considering we have to share an office, I would appreciate if you could wear less, or none. Is this something you can do?" It'll embarrass her and you'll both be uncomfortable, but that's the point--when faced with an in-her-face yes or no question she'll either have to own up to her insensitivity, or stop.

If all else fails, nose plugs.