Help I Hate…Their Body Odour

Every week, The Art Journal’s resident artworld Agony Aunt Charlotte Jansen answers your questions about access, gatekeeping and sticky social problems.

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I have got an awkward problem at work and I’m not sure how to handle it. I work at a museum and, while I know it’s been an especially hot summer, one of my colleagues has – to put it bluntly – noticeably strong body odour.

It has become difficult to work near them. I know other colleagues are aware of it too. I don’t know what to do, but it’s starting to affect my comfort at work.  I am far too timid to bring it up directly and I don’t want to embarrass my colleague, who is a really nice person.

I don’t think I can put up with it much longer.

Oh dear – this is one of those intensely awkward situations where there really is no perfect solution. And we’ve all been there, as either the perpetrator or the offended party, maybe even both. I myself am very sensitive to scent. But, I have to say, sometimes I find the stench of an over-liberally applied cheap deodorant far worse than natural body odour. You do not want to end up in that situation here. 

Climate change, needless to say, is real, yet we’re failing to adapt quickly to these new soaring temperatures and ongoing heatwaves. This struggle is only one of many challenges we are sure to face in this new climate reality. You’re clearly trying to be considerate and, of course, it always has to be the nice colleague. It makes this territory even more treacherous. 

First, remember you’re not being unreasonable for finding persistent body odour difficult to work around. You would not be cruel to raise it with them. Your colleague may not even realise there is a problem; there could be all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with laziness or a lack of cleanliness. They may be completely unaware that other people have noticed. What feels glaringly obvious to you may be something they simply cannot detect.

Since you already know that you’re not intrepid enough to raise it directly with them, I wouldn’t force yourself into a conversation that is likely to leave you both feeling mortified. You work in a museum, so I imagine there’s some kind of HR. Speak privately to your manager or another senior member of staff. Frame it as a workplace issue rather than a criticism of your colleague. Explain there is a persistent hygiene-related issue which is affecting your ability to work comfortably. Tell them you would like it handled discreetly.

I would avoid assuming that your colleague simply needs to shower more or use deodorant. Strong body odour can sometimes have causes that aren't immediately obvious. You have no idea what might be going on in their personal life. So you need to leave the conversation to someone with the appropriate role and experience. And I wouldn’t wait too much longer – the longer you have to suffer, the more frustrated you’re going to feel, until you can’t stand this colleague any more. That’s going to be harder to get over than their odour. 

A good manager should be able to have a sensitive conversation with said colleague without revealing who raised the concern. They may also be able to make practical changes, such as adjusting work areas or ventilation – particularly if the heat is making the problem worse. Or buy a Diptyque candle, or something to mask the smell, the way cigarettes used to conceal the stench of the toilets in a club. Ah, I miss those days. 

Working in a museum can also mean spending long periods in enclosed galleries, offices or staff areas, so ventilation and temperature may genuinely be contributing factors. You don’t mention air conditioning, but I imagine, like many offices in the UK, you don’t have any.

I would add another thing. Whatever you do (or don’t do), resist the temptation to discuss it with other colleagues, make shady hints about deodorant or anonymously leave toiletries on their desk. I’m sure that’s what Reddit would suggest. But, however well-intentioned, those approaches are far more likely to cause embarrassment, breed resentment or make the colleague feel marginalised or bullied.

Don't let the fact that "everyone seems to know" tempt you into a snide group conversation behind their back – your colleague deserves better than becoming the subject of workplace gossip. And how do you know you don’t also stink? Deal with it quietly, kindly and through the proper channels.

Your colleague deserves dignity, just as much as you deserve a workspace you can actually breathe in.