2 weeks Ago
NICOLA HORLICK: A colleague stinks and it's costing ME business By NICOLA HORLICK Updated: 17:51 EDT, 29 March 2025 e-mail View comments Working life today is full of constantly evolving challenges and pitfalls. When is it OK to date a co-worker? Can you tell your team to get back into the office five days a week? Whether you're a baffled Boomer, a muddled millennial, or a confused Gen Z-er, our brilliant columnist Nicola Horlick can help. Dear Nicola, I am struggling to start a conversation with one of my team about his body odour.
Not to beat about the bush, he stinks. He cycles to the office and doesn't take a shower before starting work. In fact, I am beginning to wonder if he ever showers.
He is a classic middle-aged man in Lycra who obviously prides himself on his physique, but is oblivious to his odour. The rest of the team complain, but even those who are his friends can't somehow bring themselves to say something. I can't even imagine what clients think.
But I fear the problem could cost us business. It's up to me as boss to tackle this, but I don't want to find myself in trouble with human resources. What do you suggest? Yours, Felicity Sweat smell of success: The rest of the team complain, but even those who are his friends can't somehow bring themselves to say something Dear Felicity, I sympathise.
It really is very difficult to deal with a problem like this. I once had a housekeeper who stank of body odour, and I was too chicken to tell her to deal with it. Eventually, our nanny spoke to her, and things improved radically.
It is different in a professional setting and so I would recommend that you speak to human resources and agree a plan. I presume you have showers at your office. Not all offices do.
If you don't, where would he be able to go when he arrives on his bike? Is there a gym nearby? These are the sorts of questions you need to discuss with human resources. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next NICOLA HORLICK: My love for Donald Trump is getting me in..
. NICOLA HORLICK: How do I silence the sleazy sexists in my..
. Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account It would be hard if there wasn't a shower to try to prohibit your colleague from cycling to work, especially as there is an imperative for the whole country to get thinner and fitter. If there isn't a shower, perhaps you could provide flannels, shower gel and towels in the loos so he can have a basin wash.
As the leader of the team, it is definitely up to you to try to sort this out. If it is affecting your colleagues and may be impinging on clients, now is the time to act. With the help of human resources, you should be able to resolve it.
I wish you the best of luck. Yours, Nicola DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission.
These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: NICOLA HORLICK: A colleague stinks and it's costing ME business e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links.
If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products.
We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. No Yes Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline.
To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook.
Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy . More top stories.
