|
||
How to talk to an employee about a hygiene problem
Be Tactful- No one wants to have soap placed in their locker anonymously.No one wants to receive a note with unkind words.Take a soft approach with the situation, but be direct. You are the manager and you have a reputation to uphold in your office. Perhaps have a meeting with the employee in private.Having other co-workers involved can make the employee feel like they are under attack.A hygiene problem can be embarrassing and lead the conversation to be defensive.Beginning your conversation with "You don't" would not be as well received.Perhaps start off with "I think" or "I feel."This approach will not be so abrasive.Talking to an employee in private is one method.There have even been times where companies end up having a meeting for all the employees as to not attack one person.Let the employees know that hygiene is a part of the overall dress code and give ideas on how to overcome the issues involved.
Be Mindful of Other Factors- Just because the employee may have a strong odor, doesn't mean that they don't bathe.An employee with bad breath may have a medical condition, rather than the lack of careful maintenance.Or someone may have a dog that leaves their scent with the employee.Sometimes the things that people eat can come from their pores and cause an unattractive odor.So, help the employee determine the best manner to suit their hygiene problem. Be Ready- Be ready for the employee to take the comment personally.Some can shrug it off and not really say anything but, "Ok. Thanks for letting me know."Others can fly off the handle and take real offense to the comment.The employee may begin to yell.But remember to stay calm and don't yell back.Things can get out of hand and you don't want to have any legal issues come up. Maybe speaking to the employee at the end of the work day, or work week can lessen the blow of breaking the news to the employee.Having a hostile work environment can affect the rest of the business day. Don't Talk to Others About It- Chances are, more than one person is going to know about the smelly or poor hygiene situation.But that doesn't mean it has to be the topic of conversation.Keep the topic and what was discussed in the private meeting tothose that need to know, such as the Personnel department.Other co-workers do not need to be on the "in" with what was talked about.It surely doesn't make the person telling the play by play on the meeting very loyal to their employees.It will show lack of respect while a level of high standards should be deserved. |
||
Copyright 2003-2020 by BusinessKnowledgeSource.com - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use |