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Ask him if everythings ok at home, approach it with concern for his well being. Then indicate you're picking up on slight signals that he's not alright (this is where you hint at his poor presentation). Believe this sort of behavior only occurs when there's deep turbulence in the personal life. Now you'll come off as a caring friend rather than a judgemental colleague.
Lovely comment - we need more understanding and compassionate people like you.
If he reports to you, you need to pull him aside and tell him. Say, mate, I don’t feel comfortable doing this but I think it better comes from me than someone else. You do great work, but you need to step it up in the personal hygiene department. That’s all. Now let’s focus on work.
If he doesn’t report to you, you need to have that person have the conversation.
I would also maybe give your PC a call beforehand and explain the situation and say this is what I plan to do. Any advice? That way it’s on record with them and if the person thought it was harassment or something like that, you’re covered.
Maybe use this opportunity to design an AI machine that smells him, calls the PC and then tailors a letter with specific products he must buy...my god...are we humans or what? Be nice, PwC1 has the right answer (no, it doesn’t depend this time, let’s try to be good people in 2019)
I agree with what's been said, but I would also add that in some cases of extreme cultural differences, sometimes it's ok for a peer to give advice as a friend. I had to tell an Eastern European guy (fresh off the boat) that it would be appropriate for him to bathe every day, and he was appreciative of the heads up (this was like 15 years ago)
I remind them that I care about them and I would want to know. I then explain that today they have a scent of body odor.
Do not ask of they washed or used deodorant. Just note the smell. Tell them to check into it. And you'd be happy to take any feedback on the approach as you're always up for better managing the situation. You also have to give them a chance to fix it now. You can't say you smell, but I need you here all day.
I worked for years at Wipro and had to have this conversation a number of times. Some cultures just don’t believe in deodorant or regular showers, so if this is the case, a conversation of what the norms are here following the suggestions above should be fine...
Yes he reports to me. Such a sensitive thing that it can have a very negative impact on anyone’s mental wellbeing. If someone told me this i would be rattled.
If it’s the first and only time I wouldn’t say anything. Unless you guys have a friendly, collegial relationship
Don’t touch this yourself. Tell your concern to HR and let them handle it. That’s their job!
No, ultimately, HR is there to protect the firm, not the employee.
If this issue is a first instance then I would probably leave it alone and not take measures like calling HR and prepping for a conversation. Maybe he just had a rough night. Consultants love to talk about how everything makes them "feel". Just saying...
Possibly cultural.
Have a similar issue, what did you end up doing OP?
I let it be. No way of doing this without being hurtful and affecting the day’s work. Failing as a leader already.
Take it easy, no need to be hurtful to yourself either. Approach it in steps.
If someone believes in making money they need to believe in deodorant. I got caught in an awkward situation one time and almost got physically sick because someone smelled so bad. If you’re on the bench and can’t figure out why, make sure you are wearing deodorant and showering with soap. If your religious beliefs ban this stuff, then this career probably won’t go well.