Scent-Sensitive Lady Wants Coworker To Stop Washing Hands, Is Told Off After Complaining To Boss

A workplace is full of different kinds of people, and as a result, there might be personality clashes or disagreements over even the smallest things. Sometimes, though, office conflicts can be tiresome if one entitled person decides to make a mountain out of a molehill.

This is what a woman had to deal with because her extremely sensitive coworker threw a fit over her scented handwash. This disagreement became a much bigger deal once their boss got involved and made the woman feel as if simply washing her hands was the problem.

More info: Reddit | Update

Offices need to make accommodations for people’s health conditions, but it should not be at the cost of other workers’ safety, productivity, or comfort

Young woman in a yellow shirt covering her nose, reacting to coworker sensitive smells in an indoor office setting

Image credits: prostock-studio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The poster shared that her coworker was so sensitive to smells that their office had to become a “scent-free zone,” but this eventually led to more problems

Text discussing a coworker sensitive to smells and the refusal to stop washing hands despite the issue in the office setting.

Text about coworker sensitive smells causing workplace complaints and generic scent-free zone emails after washing hands.

Text about a coworker sensitive to smells who is upset about perfume and has stopped washing hands.

Woman in pink blazer raising hands to a coworker sensitive to smells during an office conversation.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The sensitive coworker realized that every time the poster washed her hands, the smell of the handwash bothered her, so she complained to their boss

Text describing a coworker sensitive to smells walking aisles and sniffing desks to find a source of odor at work.

Text excerpt describing a coworker sensitive to smells who stopped washing hands after a perfume scent caused discomfort.

Text showing a coworker sensitive to smells refuses to stop washing hands, emphasizing hygiene as non-negotiable practice.

Text showing someone feeling anxious about returning to work and dealing with a coworker sensitive to smells after washing hands.

Image credits: Educational-Jello486

Person washing hands with soap under running water, addressing coworker sensitive smells and hand hygiene concerns.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The poster and her boss discussed the issue and figured out that the office had gotten a new scented handwash, which was affecting the entitled coworker

Close-up of text discussing coworker sensitive smells and refusal to stop washing hands at work.

Text excerpt discussing a meeting about coworker sensitive smells and how it affects hand washing habits at work.

Text explaining how a coworker sensitive to smells noticed perfume after new soap was put in office bathrooms.

Text excerpt describing a coworker sensitive to smells who stops washing hands due to faint soap scent confusion.

Two coworkers at office desk, one holding papers and pen, the other showing discomfort from sensitive smells nearby.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The boss decided to replace the scented handwash with unscented soaps, in order to smooth things over with the demanding woman

Boss buys unscented hand soap to accommodate coworker sensitive smells and stops washing hands complaints in the office.

Coworker reacting strongly in a meeting, upset about sensitive smells affecting their willingness to wash hands.

Text excerpt describing a coworker sensitive to smells who demands stopping use of scented detergents and washing hands.

Text excerpt discussing a coworker sensitive to smells and the choice to stop washing hands to avoid issues at work.

A woman covers her nose reacting to coworker sensitive smells while colleagues offer comfort in an office setting.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

After the situation was resolved, the poster decided to distance herself from her smell-averse coworker, and many others in the office did the same

Text discussing a coworker sensitive to smells, explaining reasons for sitting near her despite difficulties.

Text excerpt showing a conversation about respect and apology, highlighting coworker sensitive smells affecting washing hands.

Text on a white background stating a coworker sensitive to smells stopped washing hands and left her purse behind at the desk.

Text about a coworker sensitive to smells, guessing she stops washing hands to avoid soap scent detection.

Image credits: Educational-Jello486

The poster also asked the woman to apologize for conducting her sniff tests, but the entitled lady refused to do so and just left work early

Right from the start, the OP had to deal with her annoying coworker, who couldn’t handle smells and expected people to stop wearing deodorant, perfume, or even using detergent on their clothes. This woman’s histrionics caused such a stir in the workplace that they had to become a scent-free zone as a result.

According to experts, companies need to provide accommodations for people with disabilities or health conditions so that they can feel comfortable in the workplace. Bored Panda also reached out to Peter Duris, who’s the CEO and co-founder of Kickresume, for his opinion on the situation.

Peter explained that “in this particular case, the smell-averse colleague did not handle things well and ended up embarrassing her coworker. Instead, she should have brought the issue up privately with her boss to identify the problem and discuss solutions.”

He also stated that employers who have team members with sensitivity to smells should supply the office with fragrance-free hygiene products that can help make them feel more comfortable. “However, for team members with allergies, it’s necessary to modify the working environment to accommodate these needs as a matter of health and safety,” Peter added.

Unfortunately, in this case, it seemed like the adjustments made for the entitled coworker were actually encroaching on other people’s freedom of choice. The biggest example of this was when the woman decided to conduct sniff tests to see if someone was using a new perfume, as it was affecting her.

This behavior of hers went on for an entire week, and she’d invade each person’s personal space to take a whiff of their scent. Many coworkers felt that this was a form of harassment, and office policies do state that intimidating people or embarrassing them can be a form of workplace bullying.

A coworker discussing sensitive smells with a colleague in an office setting, next to a laptop and notes.

Image credits: pressfoto / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Eventually, the entitled coworker decided to take her grievances to the boss after finding out that OP’s handwashing had activated her smell trigger. Even though this had turned into a much bigger problem, the poster didn’t want to compromise on her hygiene just because of her overly sensitive colleague. 

Peter explained that “when one colleague has an allergy or health condition, it’s essential for the whole team to accommodate their needs. Allergies are something people cannot control, and can pose serious health risks, making modifications a medical necessity.” In this particular case, it doesn’t seem like the woman had any allergies; she was just bothered by strong smells. 

That’s why Peter shared that “if you know someone you work with has an allergy, it’s a good idea to ask them what triggers a reaction so you can avoid it. For respiratory allergies, your colleague may need you to avoid scented products like perfume. For non-negotiable hygiene such as hand-washing and deodorant, switch to fragrance-free products.”

That coworker was probably seeking out drama and wanting to exert her control. That’s why employment lawyers state that anyone on the receiving end of harassment should document everything. This includes messages, official communication, or even threats, as all this information can later be shared with Human Resources if an investigation is underway.

Although the poster didn’t later go on the offense with her sensitive coworker, she decided to keep interaction with her to a minimum. She also asked the other lady for an apology for conducting her sniff tests, but this didn’t go down well at all. Atleast, the OP doesn’t have to compromise on her hygiene to please anybody else.

How would you have dealt with an entitled coworker like this? Do share your thoughts, and if you’ve ever been in a situation like this.

Folks were shocked by the sensitive colleague’s behavior and felt that she probably never washed her hands, which is why she hadn’t smelled the hand wash earlier

Online discussion about a coworker sensitive to smells mentioning others not washing hands and perfume causing issues.

User comment discussing coworker sensitive smells related to hand soap in a bathroom and issues with washing hands.

Comment about coworker sensitive smells related to stopping washing hands after bathroom use, shared in office discussion thread.

Text comment discussing coworker sensitive smells and mentioning soap scent affecting washing hands in an office conversation.

Comment on a forum post discussing a coworker sensitive to smells, debating whether to stop washing hands to accommodate her.

Comment describing coworker sensitive smells and how it makes her stop washing hands due to asthma and strong reactions.

Screenshot of a forum post discussing coworker sensitive smells and the frustration about washing hands at work.

Text post from user Smoke_Frog asking why a problematic employee is never reprimanded or fired by the boss, discussing coworker sensitive smells.

Commenter advises addressing coworker sensitive smells issue with boss due to inappropriate behavior and allergic reactions to perfume.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing coworker sensitive smells and challenges of enforcing no deodorant rules at the office.

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