Starting a new job is already stressful enough. After landing a new position, you might worry about fitting in with your team, getting along with your manager, and meeting expectations for your first few tasks.
So how would you feel if, after only one month in your new role, you found out at least one person in your office actually complained to your supervisor about you smelling bad?
That’s the humiliating situation this 26-year-old woman recently had to deal with, and she’s been suffering from an anxiety spiral over her hygiene ever since.
For a bit of background, she started her new job one month ago, and aside from a few little mistakes, she thought everything had been going well.
“However, I can’t help but have this nervous feeling that one day, I’m going to get called into my supervisor’s office and be told, ‘It’s not working out,'” she admitted.
Then, just a few days ago, her nightmare seemed like it might actually come true. That’s because, a couple of minutes before the workday ended, she got asked to stop by her manager’s office.
Once she arrived, she was also told to close the door behind her, and her stomach sank. Thankfully, though, her manager clarified that she wasn’t in trouble and that she shouldn’t worry.
“Easier said than done when you’re in a closed meeting with your manager and supervisor. Both their desks are in the same room, and both were there,” she recalled.
Anyway, she proceeded to sit down and ask what was wrong. That’s when her manager and supervisor revealed she had a “personal scent issue.”
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At first, she was genuinely confused and thought they meant she’d “sent” a bad email or fax. But once they clarified that they meant “scent,” as in personal smell, she was mortified.
Apparently, she has ADHD, and her personal hygiene is already something she’s pretty paranoid about. Sometimes, she struggles to shower, do her laundry, or even brush her teeth. Not to mention, she’s on ADHD medication, which makes her sweat a lot.
“So, I’m always wearing a jacket or sweater at work since my uniform is short-sleeved, and I’m paranoid that people will smell my gross, sweaty pits. And today, maybe someone did,” she said.
The realization sent her into embarrassed silence, too. Meanwhile, her supervisor claimed she didn’t have to explain herself; they just wanted to make her aware of the issue.
She ultimately told both her manager and supervisor that she’d “work on it” before leaving their office and trying to keep herself from crying.
In hindsight, she’s grateful that they waited until the workday was nearly over to confront her about the scent problem. Otherwise, she would’ve had to sit at her desk, thinking about the fact that she stunk, all day.
Still, she’s obviously been left with a ton of questions following that meeting. She doesn’t know if she smelled bad just that day or multiple days. Plus, whether it was just one person or numerous coworkers who complained about her scent.
“Was it because I took my jacket off for a few minutes today? Or has this been an ongoing issue, and there’s actually a bunch of complaints?” she asked.
She just can’t believe she smelled horrible enough for someone to inform their boss. And it’s left her feeling so humiliated that she can’t even call her best friend to talk about it.
Instead, she just decided to take the longest shower ever after work, and now, she’s seeking any advice on how to improve her personal hygiene.
Have you ever received a “scent complaint” at work? What can she do to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
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By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
