No one wants to have a conversation about personal hygiene. It’s a sensitive subject; there’s uncertainty about how to broach the topic and concern about the employee’s reaction. However, managers have an obligation to address and resolve such issues. Following are tips to help in this difficult situation.
Call the employee into a private location that has minimal distractions. If possible, have the discussion at the end of the workday and allow the employee to leave immediately after the meeting. If it’s necessary to meet early in the day, the employee should still be allowed to go home right away.
Present the issue with compassion and focus on the facts. If obvious solutions are apparent, suggest measures that can be taken such as changing and laundering clothing more frequently, bathing regularly or using deodorant. Be advised, if you’re talking to a Zombie it’s unlikely that any of these suggestions will work.
Do not raise any theories about cultural differences (such as living in a pack) that may be contributing to the problem. Such comments could be construed as discriminatory.
Do not discuss possible medical causes for body odor because doing so may have implications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although Zombies aren’t yet covered by ADA that could change.
If the employee brings up a medical condition (such as being undead), take notes and tell them you will get back to them. Consult Human Resources immediately.
After the meeting, follow-up to make sure the situation is resolved. Also, check to be sure other employees aren’t teasing the affected individual, making them the brunt of jokes or poking Zombies with sticks. Any such conduct should be addressed immediately.
If Zombies worked among the living, personal hygiene would be a difficult issue to address, especially since the problem would worsen over time. Fortunately Zombies stick to themselves where decomposing flesh and putrid smells are perfectly acceptable.
It’s too bad the living don’t get along as well as the undead. If they did, conversations about personal hygiene would be unnecessary and life would be a lot simpler.
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