Managing A Coworker Who Smells

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Can you, and if so how can you, tell a coworker he stinks?

A suspect in Oregon who went on the run following a high speed chase after he tried to evade a traffic stop was found after police were led to the dark underbrush in which he was hiding by the strong smell of his cologne.

Lesson learned: go a little lighter on the Axe body spray before perpetrating a crime spree.

But, what do you do if it's the excess body spray that's the crime in your office? Can you tell a coworker that he or she is over-fragranced or is that too personal to discuss with a colleague?

People shy away from talking about any personal matter, but there are times when someone's potential success is curtailed by his or her hygiene. So long as there is no intent to discriminate on the basis of gender or other protected status, it is not only ok to tell someone he or she smells but may be a kindness.

Do it away from others and at the end of the day so she's not embarrassed all day. And, let her know that you would like to be told if you had spinach between your teeth or other problem of which you are not aware that is standing in the way and that you tell her as a friend so she's not embarrassed later.

Difficult? Yes. But a coworker needs to know if his cologne could stop traffic.