Comments on: In the Elevator with Too Much Fragrance http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/ A Community for Hiring Professionals - Attract, Engage & Retain Your #1 Asset Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:45:07 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Syrena http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-2575 Syrena Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:13:35 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-2575 We used to have an employee in our office who wore strong flowery fragrances, but she no longer works with us. The primary issue I have is with clients. The air conditioning vent is directly in front of my desk, so whenever somebody walks in the door the air blows their scent directly at me. There is nothing that I can do to get away from it; if my coworker is available, I will actually leave my desk and go to a different part of the building for a while to get away from it. If the lingering scent is too strong, I have to leave the office completely and sometimes must go home sick. I'd love to be able to put up a sign like they have in doctors' offices citing respiratory difficulties due to scents! We used to have an employee in our office who wore strong flowery fragrances, but she no longer works with us. The primary issue I have is with clients. The air conditioning vent is directly in front of my desk, so whenever somebody walks in the door the air blows their scent directly at me. There is nothing that I can do to get away from it; if my coworker is available, I will actually leave my desk and go to a different part of the building for a while to get away from it. If the lingering scent is too strong, I have to leave the office completely and sometimes must go home sick.

I’d love to be able to put up a sign like they have in doctors’ offices citing respiratory difficulties due to scents!

]]> By: HRM Today - Blog Archive » In the Elevator with Too Much Fragrance http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-888 HRM Today - Blog Archive » In the Elevator with Too Much Fragrance Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:23:05 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-888 [...] Read More… [...] [...] Read More… [...]

]]> By: The Hire Sense » Fragrance Follies http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-806 The Hire Sense » Fragrance Follies Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:13:35 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-806 [...] CareerBuilder.com has a post regarding an overuse of perfume and cologne by employees.  The author asks a good question: [...] [...] CareerBuilder.com has a post regarding an overuse of perfume and cologne by employees.  The author asks a good question: [...]

]]> By: GMC http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-800 GMC Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:51:22 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-800 I agree with Mark. You simply add it to your dress code. And, you simply advise visitors of your fragrance-free policy the same as you do your smoke-free policy. Since I am chemically sensitive and have severe allergies to fragrances, I tell people right up front when I am making an appointment with them, whether it be a vendor or an interviewee, etc., that it would be greatly appreciated if they would refrain from wearing heavy fragrances at this appointment due to health concerns. I have even had to ask first dates to use the bathroom and wash off their cologne because I could never make it through the night. Personally, I would like to see a ban on fragrances the same as is on smoking in all public places. As far as those elevators and other enclosed places where the encounters are minimal and of short duration, we are just going to have to tough it out and be as tolerable as possible...my goodness, we cannot regulate EVERYTHING. I agree with Mark. You simply add it to your dress code. And, you simply advise visitors of your fragrance-free policy the same as you do your smoke-free policy. Since I am chemically sensitive and have severe allergies to fragrances, I tell people right up front when I am making an appointment with them, whether it be a vendor or an interviewee, etc., that it would be greatly appreciated if they would refrain from wearing heavy fragrances at this appointment due to health concerns. I have even had to ask first dates to use the bathroom and wash off their cologne because I could never make it through the night. Personally, I would like to see a ban on fragrances the same as is on smoking in all public places. As far as those elevators and other enclosed places where the encounters are minimal and of short duration, we are just going to have to tough it out and be as tolerable as possible…my goodness, we cannot regulate EVERYTHING.

]]> By: Glinda http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-798 Glinda Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:23:27 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-798 We have a scent free policy: no pefumes, no smoking, no scented lotion, no scented candles-nothing. Problem solved. We have a scent free policy: no pefumes, no smoking, no scented lotion, no scented candles-nothing. Problem solved.

]]> By: Laurie http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-796 Laurie Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:53:12 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-796 What about when you get into an elevator with someone who smokes and even though they are not smoking in the elevator you are still overwhelmed with the stench. Sometimes I will get into the elevator alone but can tell that the person riding prior to me was a smoker because the smell lingers. To me, this is just as offensive and harmful, if not more, than someone who wears too much perfume. What about when you get into an elevator with someone who smokes and even though they are not smoking in the elevator you are still overwhelmed with the stench. Sometimes I will get into the elevator alone but can tell that the person riding prior to me was a smoker because the smell lingers. To me, this is just as offensive and harmful, if not more, than someone who wears too much perfume.

]]> By: Mark http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-794 Mark Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:09:31 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-794 Managers have the responsibility to be upfront with their team members. Skirting the issue of too much fragrance, should be avoided as any other issue that offends or infringes on other team members. A dress/attire policy should address this. I have developed a dress code policy that specifically states; " Management reserves the right to ask employees to wear a lighter fragrance or none at all, if others have health issues or complain." As managers you have the obligation to address issues with your team. They may not always like it, but will respect you in the long run. If you let other team members approach someone with too strong a fragrance, the employee may retaliate with complaints about that team member. It is best for supervisors or managers to give direction and guidance. Managers have the responsibility to be upfront with their team members. Skirting the issue of too much fragrance, should be avoided as any other issue that offends or infringes on other team members.

A dress/attire policy should address this. I have developed a dress code policy that specifically states; ” Management reserves the right to ask employees to wear a lighter fragrance or none at all, if others have health issues or complain.”

As managers you have the obligation to address issues with your team. They may not always like it, but will respect you in the long run.

If you let other team members approach someone with too strong a fragrance, the employee may retaliate with complaints about that team member.

It is best for supervisors or managers to give direction and guidance.

]]> By: Donna http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-792 Donna Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:13:03 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-792 At our workplace it is not the employees but the visitors.There is one in particular who when he/she stops by for a quick meeting leaves her/his fragrance behind for a couple of days. I do not have the option of going in an office an closing my door to ward off the direct contact. So when these people "stop by" no sooner are "they" in the door that I can't breathe and start coughing uncontrollably. I wish people would re-consider their use of colognes and perfumes and at least be considerate of those around them. At our workplace it is not the employees but the visitors.There is one in particular who when he/she stops by for a quick meeting leaves her/his fragrance behind for a couple of days. I do not have the option of going in an office an closing my door to ward off the direct contact. So when these people “stop by” no sooner are “they” in the door that I can’t breathe and start coughing uncontrollably. I wish people would re-consider their use of colognes and perfumes and at least be considerate of those around them.

]]> By: Lilli http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-791 Lilli Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:44:41 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-791 Some employees have allergies to perfumes. Out of courtesy to those employees, those working nearby can be requested not to wear perfumes and colognes in defference to their health. I used to enjoy wearing perfumes, but have stopped out of concern for others. I don't have the added expense as nice perfumes are not cheap. Anyway, soaps, shampoos and body lotions are scented, so why add something else to the mix? Some employees have allergies to perfumes. Out of courtesy to those employees, those working nearby can be requested not to wear perfumes and colognes in defference to their health.

I used to enjoy wearing perfumes, but have stopped out of concern for others. I don’t have the added expense as nice perfumes are not cheap. Anyway, soaps, shampoos and body lotions are scented, so why add something else to the mix?

]]> By: Terri http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2008/11/18/in-the-elevator-with-too-much-fragrance/comment-page-1/#comment-790 Terri Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:37:41 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=1616#comment-790 The area where I sit at work is VERY close to our coat rack. We have two very pleasant employees that are from India. Unfortuantely, their coats absolutely reek of curry and make me sick to my stomach all winter long. While I have broguht the subject up, there is nowhere else for our coat rack to be moved, without offending others. I make it a point NOT to wear perfume because I know it can be offensive and overpowering, even in the smallest doses, but how does one deal with a cultural issue? The area where I sit at work is VERY close to our coat rack. We have two very pleasant employees that are from India. Unfortuantely, their coats absolutely reek of curry and make me sick to my stomach all winter long. While I have broguht the subject up, there is nowhere else for our coat rack to be moved, without offending others. I make it a point NOT to wear perfume because I know it can be offensive and overpowering, even in the smallest doses, but how does one deal with a cultural issue?

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