Polite way to say "You smell"
- No perfume or cologne is permitted to be worn by employees
- Unscented deodorants are recommended
We still have some products that will absorb odors but we don't strongly enforce this rule anymore because there is not as much issue. The problem is coming up with a statement that says "you odor is to strong" (good or bad) without offending.
We came up with this revision so far:
- Employees should not emit any strong odors which may impact the product quality
- Unscented deodorants are recommended
Does the statement make it clear enough that strong "pleasant" (perfumes, colognes) or "unpleasant" (uncleanliness) odors are both an issue?
I am looking for any thoughts or if anyone has a written statement or policy that they currently use that could help.
Thanks!
In our company hygiene rule no.3 says,
"Excessive perfume or aftershave shall not be worn"
I hope this rule is a polite way to ensure personnel avoid perfumes.
Regards,
Jeremy
Kenya
How do you handle body odors?
Based on what I have found. I have come up wiht the following for review:
Strong odors may be absorbed by product so employees must be physically clean, well groomed, and take steps to prevent and/or address problems of offensive odors such as body odor, cigarette or cigar smoke, etc. while avoiding excessive use of fragrances
OR…
Offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, aftershave, or cologne that impacts the quality of product is prohibited.
OR…
No employee shall have an offensive odor that can impact product quality through absorption. An offensive body odor may result from a lack of good hygiene, from an excessive application of a fragrant aftershave or cologne or from other causes
Any thoughts on these statements?
Regards,
Simon
I agree with Simon. Our GMP´s include requiring everyone to take a shower daily, so body odors are not a big problem. They´re also required to not wear any cologne or perfume.
Interesting requirement on showering, but how are you able to verify/enforce it?
I do not think we would get away with that statement in a litgation happy culture like ours.
We settled with a combination of the first and third statements mostly because the first statement included the "why".
Strong odors may be absorbed by product so employees must be physically clean, well groomed, and take steps to prevent and/or address problems of offensive odors due to personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, after shave or cologne.
I think all 3 (now 4) statements are really good. They do say much more than the common "Excessive perfume or aftershave shall not be worn".
I agree with the importance of communicating the "WHY" - good choice. I also agree that being specific e.g. requiring daily showering is maybe a step too far in the UK - what happens if you do not have a shower? or maybe you have a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema (aggrevated by water). I would do what TSmith has done and make the policy and requirements clear and let the workers work out how to comply with it.Interesting requirement on showering, but how are you able to verify/enforce it?
I do not think we would get away with that statement in a litgation happy culture like ours.
We settled with a combination of the first and third statements mostly because the first statement included the "why".
Strong odors may be absorbed by product so employees must be physically clean, well groomed, and take steps to prevent and/or address problems of offensive odors due to personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, after shave or cologne.
Regards,
Simon
I do not think we would get away with that statement in a litgation happy culture like ours.
Indeed, and this is only part of the (maybe geograpically oriented) problems. The aspect of infringement of personal rights may also overlap. I recall another thread here containing a detailed Australian Union directive as to the mutually agreed factory management controls over body jewelry. Similar issues to present thread unless you can prove a specific safety/quality risk. This is one reason why it is occasionally pragmatic to avoid too much explanation.
I have also seen a similar conclusion to the recommended ones here being quoted as used in various US fast food restaurants for the counter employees. Whether it is followed / enforced is another matter.
Rgds / Charles.C
Attached Files
To be practical, I call the staff in person who was found violating the written rules and talk straight in a polite way with a smile and a wink. The same goes with hand washing after the using the wash rooms....I tell the person knows that he/she was being observed by other colleagues...it works.
Has anyone ever had the experience of having to discipline a staff member for excessive body odour? If so how did you tackle this?
Cheers
J9
The best way is to tell it exactly as it is. Don't dress it up or go around the houses. Sit down one to one to discuss only this one topic. In a matter of fact and calm way, but with a caring manner.Hi All,
Has anyone ever had the experience of having to discipline a staff member for excessive body odour? If so how did you tackle this?
Cheers
J9
Just my opinion, maybe others have a different method.
Not easy though.
Regards,
Simon
It should clearly mention in policy/procedure for 'personal hygiene' and shift supervisor should inspect before entering to production.
Policy: All food handlers’ employees will maintain good personal hygiene practices to ensure food safety.
Procedure:
All employees must arrive at work clean – clean hair, teeth brushed, bath and use light odor deodorant daily.
It is the responsibility of the shift supervisor to inspect employees when they report to work to be sure they are following proper hygiene requirements.
Regards,
Jeremy
I know the discussion has happened where I work now which is why I needed guidance on this issue. The last time it happened was actually someone who wore to much perfume. It is tough enough to discuss hygiene when someone is dirty but when they consider themselves clean and enjoy their perfume it can become a personal preference issue.
TS
Whenever it is addressed the important point is that it is simply business and not a personal issue. If the rules / policy are clear then there can be no argument.
Simon
You could make them work part time. No seriously you make a very good point jean. Sometimes it is not a personal hygiene problem but a medical issue which sort of opens up a whole new can of deodorant.What can we do about people who take a shower before work but gets a bad odour after working for 4-5 hours due to the sweat. This is the problem I frequently encounter. "Perfumes are not to be used in food preparation areas due to the taint".
Where this is the case what could be the best solution?
It may be the temperature or humidity in plant or may be other reasons..
If external factors are creating this situation, one must look for the solutions to avoid such situations.
As GMO said pictures have always last long effects on the trainees.. with that in my training programs I always correlate personal health, growth, creativity, happiness apart from requirements to work in food manufacturing/ processing premises.
Since personal wellness attracts attention of trainees more than the requirement of the factory, they take more interest to listen the trainer... and simple day to day examples works to accelerate the understanding of the system.
When trainees get the feel that consciously or unconsciously how they are following or not following hygienic practices in home and correlation of results with scientific reasons, they become more concern on such issues.
The key is how you program their mind to get the expected results..
Regards
In that case we should look out possible reasons of sweating during working hours..
It may be the temperature or humidity in plant or may be other reasons..
Dear Saviour,
The people who sweat a lot work indoors and outdoors and it is because of the climatic conditions, skin problems (like psoriasis), poor lifestyle, due to the hormonal / medicines, mental state like anger, nervousness, even some foods rich in lecithin or choline etc…These are some which we cannot control cent percent.
We train our staff with pictures and examples too in all subjects and IMEX, they impact may last maybe a month or so and they go back to their old ways, not in my presence. I get few complaints from other mangers, supervisors sometimes from their colleagues during the training sessions. Our working environment is temperature and humidity controlled almost 24 hours (including the lockers and corridors).
If external factors are creating this situation, one must look for the solutions to avoid such situations.
Can you give some ideas of different factors and solutions from your mind and experience?
When trainees get the feel that consciously or unconsciously how they are following or not following hygienic practices in home and correlation of results with scientific reasons, they become more concern on such issues.
The key is how you program their mind to get the expected results..
This is easy if it is with hygiene issues but with respect to the above conditions we need to analyze each person for different factors causing bad odour and then get their mind into is a bit tough.