If some of these ideas dont work, I might try asking her, What, exactly, are you smelling? It is not a matter of simply not liking something. lol Im inclined to think shes just a jerk. I am only saying this in the hopes that getting to the bottom of the issue will make it easier to figure out a solution. I think this can have a lot to do with body chemistry, too I have one essential oil blend made for me that has a lot of layers, but the one that lasts the longest is kind of a candle-smoke scent. If the interruptions continue, speak to the person in private. I also think that the OP should go to HR and let them know what has been going on. Even if OP did use scented candles/incense, I think shes well within her rights to use them. Talk to your doctor about (That obviously wouldnt account for the co-workers still smelling patchouli, but it does mean that unscented isnt, as you say, necessarily a solution.). Im genuinely curious about this. Its a supervisors job to do that. Period, full stop. Re: Constant phlegm / snorting problem - please help. It didnt occur to me because we do work closely on my project, but I guess theres no reason that necessarily has to be physical closeness. If youre one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, read on for what plants are to blame, where to find them and how to get relief. Should I say something? 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. Youve done whats reasonable at this point. Boss talked to her, and she insisted she hadnt sprayed anything.but I had 2 witnesses who said she did. I had another friend that said they also became scent-sensitive when they were having chemo. For a while I was attending a conference that made that request. I would love to see someone tell all my coworkers who smoke that they have to quit because Purple Jello has an allergy.). I cant leave my clothes in my front loader over night or they smell bad (at least to me). Totally agree with this. Its not a unilateral street. As I said, I dont think she has one. I guess my point is if coworker is smelling something and attributing it to the OP because of past issues, something needs to be done to determine what the source of something is, and I know blindfolds are a weird thing, but it might actually worth it to float as a trial balloon that Look youre smelling something, we agree you are, youre not crazy, but we DONT agree on what something is. She is being a jerk. swatting away an annoying fly that landed on the nose. :(, He even complained once a full year! So stop it. Ive always had it and its bananas impossible to explain to anyone without coming off as a jerk when Id suddenly fume or snap a pencil under the table or run away from the dinner table. Primary care is a good place to start. My husband is quite sensitive to smell and he uses it so I thought it would be okay. I couldnt smell any cinnamon candy for years after. Has she told others that their scent bothers her? I am all about being considerate to the people around you, but Im having a hard time with this one too, because I agree that no one should be expected to change their home/weekend habits and change up all their products to accommodate a coworker. I can understand perfume as that can be very potent and seems to do well to linger in the air. Get private office or moved away from said problem because I'm a good employee they don't want to lose because I can't concentrate or keep my sanity at work. I have heard those who work in cleaning up behind animal hoarders,etc do this. When everything is researched and it ends up being something other than you, shell have to quit harassing you. Almost everyone I know who wears that kind of scent is white, and I really hope that OP is, too. On a particularly strong scent day a few months ago, I mentioned this to her, and she seemed quite responsive and apologetic. If shes complaining about OPs non-smell, and if shes fragrance-sensitive, spraying febreeze is like an act of war. 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. Or florals or vanilla or whatever. 4. Say this to your boss: Ever since Jane mentioned a month ago that a perfume I was wearing bothered her, Ive made a big effort to ensure Im not wearing anything scented around her. I was just wondering how common it is to possibly swallow a About 4 weeks ago, I developed symptoms that resembled bronchitis or some form of viral infection. Um no. Your dog may follow the ill dog around more than usual and may spend a lot of time . I feel like the LW has done more than enough to ensure that they dont smell strongly at work and that this coworker is being unreasonable and rude. I dont use scented stuff, I bake if I want the house to smell nice., And I finally sat her down and said Hey Coworker, I want you to know that I dont dislike your perfume/lotion/candle scent ( although I did dislike them) I just have a strong, physical reaction, and when its pollen season, or mold season, Im extra sensitive and really cant handle any of those products in the air.. Yes, the real problem is clearly the coworker. It's not so easy no matter where you work. Its Bully 101 to push and push and push until the victim explodes, and then so and so blew up at me for NO REASONoh, poor me. A physical change of environment for one or both of them should neutralise this co-workers issue. But what if she likes patchouli? If your friends wear/are around patchouli I doubt they would be able to smell residual fragrance. Hold a constructive private conversation. Gym stories. It doesnt help with co-worker, but since what co-worker is doing can be utterly crazy making and gaslighting feeling, I hope it helps you see how it could be just her. Asking a coworker to switch soaps is ridiculous. Stomach bug hit that night. Does that even matter though? Let me tell you, African women, French women and certain Asian women wear perfume when they are out in public. OP, is there a possibility of moving your (or her) physical location? Fortunately, he did not continue to complain about my scented lotion. Many cleaning products made me gag or gave me a headache, I couldnt stand the smell of my old shampoo anymore, and I had to go sleep elsewhere the night my husband made cabbage in the crock pot. 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. Yes. This could be an extreme case of insensitivity or even a mildish form of autism, perhaps Asperger syndrome. The more you use it, the more you want it, but the less effective it is, Dr. Reisman says. Happily it stops when I lay-down so sleeping is ok. Also it stops from time to time with out any reasonI try to analyse why but no results. I wonder, are there treatment options for people who are extra sensitive to fragrances? 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. I have a favorite crock pot recipe that I havent made in 20 years because I got sick the last time I ate it (I am sure it was a virus and had nothing to do with the food, but even thinking about it nauseates me) Oncologists sometimes feed kids maple ice cream before chemo because they would rather their bodies associated the illness with something easily avoided than with the cheerios or scrambled eggs they had for breakfast that day. It was only when I went on vacation with friends and that was the only whiskey sold at the bodega near where we were staying that I managed to drink it again. Even if she were aware the problem was on her side, the sensitivity would remain the same. OP How long have you and this co-worker worked together? Its easy to say to OP to be bold and confront her directly but if youre like me and just dont have that type of personality, sometimes other solutions can be helpful. I agree! Ive asked her to stop, and Id like to ask you to intervene if it continues, because its becoming disruptive, and franklyat this point her continued complaints are starting to feel like harassment., (To be clear, this doesnt sound likeharassment in the legal sense that would need to be based on race, sex, religion, or another protected characteristic but its certainly harassing in the colloquial sense. I met my husband while I was working as a pizza cook at Chuck E. Cheese. 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. Curiously enough, the first symptom I get is irritability. If so, you may want to think about speaking with your manager to be relocated, or inquire about permission to use earbuds for a good part of the day. I dont even own any alcohol-based spray-type perfumes, just oils and solid perfumes, and I still refer to them all as just perfume, so I think thats what OP meant. OP, Im someone who doesnt always do well with strong scents, and I think your coworker is acting like a jerk. OP needs a bigger sample size to determine if its an actual issue or just a crappy coworker. BTW, I always carry surgical masks and charcoal filters with me. Thats not happening, sonny Jim.. She has the option to politely manage this scenario and isnt. Its one thing to say dont wear perfume/aftershave/etc at work. I have miso and I sniffle. But more likely these coworkers are the only people left with improvements to make in this situation. Depending on how sensitive your coworkers allergies are, this can get extremely complicated. Im not surprised. or you can try a passive aggressive tactic: Use fart spray for a few days then stop. Its reached the point where it feels like juvenile bullying and I honestly dont know what to do. Nasal sprays. There are people who believe very strongly in this initiative, so it wouldnt surprise me to encounter that sentiment here or elsewhere. . everyone think it is and I try to stop but its every minuet I sniff. But this sounds like a specific attack on the OP for some reason. They will tackle the situation without compromising your request. I hope this works out and she backs off, but either way, as a scent-sitive person, thank you so much for going through all this effort. who CANNOT DEAL with the fact that a person doesnt eat cheese. I cant handle it at all! I have to add that this isnt to imply that OP has an odd personal smell at all! :) All in all, its just frustrating when youve done everything to accommodate someone and they are still abrasive. I hadnt thought about what a can of worms that would be! I think the people talking about scent associations are right on the money. 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). Because she is acting like a jerk. Mom is a total grown up hippie though. OK, thats fine and I can handle that. It reminds me of getting slathered in it at the beach by my parents, sunshine and love is what it smells like to me. I think that Picky Coworker is one of those types who will demand more and more concessions from LW until she has LW thoroughly buffaloed and walking on eggshells. Instead they want to continue chatting or working. I would switch laundry detergent, perfume, etc. I get mean vibes from her too. Some of that scent is going to linger in the machine, so even if I do my clothes separately, there might be scent residue that affects the coworker. And Im damn sure not asking that of all my friends and family. For a while I just wore grapefruit scented essential oil on my wrists and neck instead of perfume, but it would fade away so fast I eventually just stopped. So, if you use patchouli at all at home or on the weekends I wouldnt be surprised if its noticeable to people. But it sounds like a cant win for losing situation :(. It makes me wonder if theres a bigger issue going on with Coworkers opinion of OP. I just wanted to thank you for being considerate to your coworker and refraining from wearing your perfumes to work. Once that boundary is understood, you can use that to have a productive discussion with the coworker. I actually find the smell of patchouli very pleasant, but I do recognize that a lot of people have negative associations with it. Scent can also be a trigger for good or bad memories. to me and I find it nauseating. I still cant eat creme brulee. Actually, I think the OP has taken more measures than are actually reasonable and that the OP has really bent over backwards on this. I will also say, as someone who is very sensitive to smells, that if the scent bothers the coworker it would probably only take a trace amount for her to smell it, although shes handling it like a jerk. I dont know what shes smelling, but Ive done everything I can reasonably do to accommodate her needs. I love scented everything and certainly am not the only one. Im chemically sensitive to cheap perfumes, something in the inexpensive stuff triggers asthma and migraines. Adding some baking soda along with that can help too. She . Febreeze is the nuclear bomb of deodorizer. Thanks for giving your more mature (compared to the coworker) perspective here. 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. mattress itself? Sorry, but no. :/ And yeah, patchouli, being one of my favourites, definitely is one of the more intense and stronger scents that helps beat down the ammonia smell of cat wee, thats for sure. and although I can never smell my hair, someone will occasionally mention how good my hair smells, especially if my hair comes in contact with rain or is wet for some other reason. It bothers me to have to interact with assholes, but unfortunately, theres no cure for that. I recommend using those products only with direction from your doctor., Nasal obstruction. You can put on a puzzled/pitying face and rotate in comments like, Wow, thats rude, and What a strange thing to say.. 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. The following Monday, though, I noticed the scent was strong again, so commented to her about it. I dont wear it often (I find it soothing and will sometimes put a little on in the evening, just on my wrist and just for me). Ditto with my kids shampoo and bubble bath. Then try to have a calm, sensible conversation with someone while exposed to that irritant. Your coworkers shoot you irritated looks as you clear your throat (again). The scent literally makes me a little queasy, just like the smell of too many lilies or orchids, which are toxic to many people, especially children. 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