I have never felt compelled to post on this subreddit before, but I have officially run out of options. I share an office with another associate who has truly extraordinary body odor. This is not an occasional “forgot deodorant after the gym” situation. It is a persistent, unmistakable smell that has effectively become a third occupant of our office.
I have tried every indirect intervention I can think of. I’ve suggested that we always leave the office door open because “the air gets stuffy.” I’ve conspicuously opened the door immediately after he closes it, and I bought an air freshener. I’ve made comments about how hot the office gets and how I sometimes feel like I need another shower in the middle of the day. Nothing has landed.
Compounding the problem, he works out before coming to the office and keeps his dirty gym clothes under his desk for the entire day. There is frequently a damp T-shirt, shorts and socks stuffed into a gym bag approximately four feet from where I am trying to review documents. I cannot overstate how much this contributes to the overall environment.
My bigger concern at this point is reputational. Partners and others regularly come into our office to talk to one or both of us. I have become increasingly paranoid that they walk in, immediately smell the situation, see two men sitting there, and conclude there is a 50% chance it is me. Last week a partner came in, stopped talking for about half a second, looked around the room and then asked, “Do you guys want to leave the door open?”
What is the protocol here? Do I tell him directly? Tell office management? Ask for a new office and refuse to explain why? Is it permissible to anonymously send deodorant through interoffice mail?
I am genuinely concerned that if this continues for another six months I will become known around the firm as “the associate who smells,” despite being completely innocent.