Told I reek of BO at work and getting hell for lots of stuff

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Bugzee
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20 Jul 2010, 3:59 pm

I work at a place where we sell coffees and donuts, but are stock room is on another floor in the hospital. When I was in the stock room our health and safety rep approached me and said we have to talk and then told me that I smell and we are starting to get complaints. I am working over 60 hours a week and I am expected to do a lot of heavy lifting in the stock room. I am just getting tired and my fatigue is compunded by carrying boxes back and forth. I also can't do stocking quickly no matter how hard I try. My motor skills are just too damn off. I also got yeleld at by customers a lot today which compounded by stress and made me sweaty and very nervous. I am not having a great time at work and I am thinking about just quiting out right. I have another job lined up that I am suppose to start on Aug. 30, but if I quit now that means I have ot go the rest of the summer without work. What should I do?



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20 Jul 2010, 4:04 pm

Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. I do not know what to advise you for the best, but I hope that you find an answer that works for you. Practical question re: the BO, have you tried a heavy duty anti-perspirant at all? (Sorry if this is a really obvious thought, just wanted to be sure).

Whatever happens, hope your new job is far better.



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20 Jul 2010, 4:16 pm

Consider playing this Ace as a method of half quitting:

'There's a family situation I have to take care of. I'm sorry, but I have to take a couple of days off. I have to.'

'No, I can't tell you more. It's something I have to take care of.'

------------------------------

It is a lie, but I think that is justified by a negative workplace. And it is half-quitting, don't fool yourself that it's not, but it's better than full quitting.



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20 Jul 2010, 4:23 pm

There are clinical grade antiperspirants out there. They are more expensive but really work. I sweat a lot at work and have taken to keeping a damp washcloth in a baggie to freshen up. Just step into the bathroom and give your self a swipe and reapply deodorant.



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20 Jul 2010, 4:23 pm

Bugzee wrote:
. . . I am just getting tired and my fatigue is compunded by carrying boxes back and forth. I also can't do stocking quickly no matter how hard I try. . .

Okay, it's kind of like sports, it's kind of like being a good journeyman quarterback, don't try and be Joe Montana, just play your game. Don't try and play the other fellow's game.

So, don't try and be super fast. Just work steadily at a reasonable pace. And, good enough really is good enough. And the fact that the sale place is on a different floor than the storeroom, nothing you can do about it, but that's bad design, you know it, I know it.



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20 Jul 2010, 4:33 pm

AardvarkGoodSwimmer wrote:
Consider playing this Ace as a method of half quitting:

'There's a family situation I have to take care of. I'm sorry, but I have to take a couple of days off. I have to.'

'No, I can't tell you more. It's something I have to take care of.'

------------------------------

It is a lie, but I think that is justified by a negative workplace. And it is half-quitting, don't fool yourself that it's not, but it's better than full quitting.

No. Lying isn't acceptable, and this is horrible for those that actually need it and won't be able to because of liars that are found out.

I agree with the other advice, and maybe even bring another pair of clothes or uniform if you can to change into.



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20 Jul 2010, 5:25 pm

During very hot weather I take deoderant spray and wipes to work, wear a cotton top and take another top so that I can change if need be.



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20 Jul 2010, 7:27 pm

So you're expected to perform manual labor in a hot stockroom for hours and then be daisy-fresh when they need you up front to serve customers?

IS YOUR MANAGER A F***KING IDIOT??

(Calm down, Bill...)

Maybe they *want* to get rid of you and are trying to find some, *any*, reason, even if they have to invent the situation.

Okay--as other posters mentioned, keep a clean (i.e., not worn since it came out of the Maytag) shirt with you that you can change into, and give a quick wash of your armpits (most likely the stinkiest part of you) and reapply deodorant before you have to change roles.

If they won't accommodate you this simple courtesy, start raising as much hell as you can to whomever will listen. Something doesn't sound right about this whole situation... :evil:



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20 Jul 2010, 7:36 pm

I hate hair. I got mad and yanked it
out (of armpits). It hurts if I do it
too much so I just shave now and
I have less trubble with smelly.

off topic sorry, Hi CT Bill are those EL 34s
in your avatar???

I like high powered valve/tube electronics
and I am working on knowing more about
them, I want to bild a little tube pre amp
for my mac.


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CTBill
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20 Jul 2010, 8:10 pm

LittleTigger wrote:
off topic sorry, Hi CT Bill are those EL 34s
in your avatar???

Will send you a PM regarding such. :D



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20 Jul 2010, 8:40 pm

Bugzee wrote:
. . . When I was in the stock room our health and safety rep approached me and said we have to talk and then told me that I smell and we are starting to get complaints. . .

I'm not sure how often you work with your health and safety rep, but this is the kind of thing the boss who works with you the most and who knows and respects your work should have said:

'________, you're an excellent worker and I know you're busting your butt for us. And I know we aren't laid out near as efficiently as possible, boy, ain't that the truth . . . '

Then your boss could go on to tell you that they have received some complaints, that he thinks you'd rather know than not know. And he could go on to say that he sweats at least as much and probably smells at least as bad.

That is, your boss helps to soften the blow. He has an ongoing relationship with you and appreciates your work, that's very important. And it makes for a much more adult-to-adult type of conversation. (and frankly, in today's corporate world that only happens maybe one out of five times)



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20 Jul 2010, 8:47 pm

buryuntime wrote:
AardvarkGoodSwimmer wrote:
Consider playing this Ace as a method of half quitting:

'There's a family situation I have to take care of. I'm sorry, but I have to take a couple of days off. I have to.'

'No, I can't tell you more. It's something I have to take care of.'

------------------------------

It is a lie, but I think that is justified by a negative workplace. And it is half-quitting, don't fool yourself that it's not, but it's better than full quitting.

No. Lying isn't acceptable, and this is horrible for those that actually need it and won't be able to because of liars that are found out.

I agree with the other advice, and maybe even bring another pair of clothes or uniform if you can to change into.

Okay, first off, I strive to be a moral person. I'm in favor of getting as many positives going at one time as you can: job, school, starting a business (economically at first, then being open to it growing). And importantly, treat people significantly better than the average. When you have to fire someone, be decent, brief, informative, and probably the most important thing is to be brief.

I'm also in favor of political activism. For example, how is 10% unemployment morally acceptable? I don't think it is.

--------------------------------------------

This kind of deflecting lie, I think it's okay in this kind of situation. And maybe I'm more of a pragmatic individual and maybe you're more of an idealistic individual, and I just ask that we accept each other on our own terms.

And really, if you can figure out a better alternative, I'm all ears. The tactical situation is that the guy is thinking about quitting right here and now. And I'm saying, hold on, it might be better to half-quit in this way where you also keep the door open



Bugzee
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20 Jul 2010, 10:02 pm

My job is just a part time job at a coffee shop making minimum wage.



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21 Jul 2010, 12:27 am

Bugzee wrote:
I work at a place where we sell coffees and donuts, but are stock room is on another floor in the hospital. When I was in the stock room our health and safety rep approached me and said we have to talk and then told me that I smell and we are starting to get complaints. I am working over 60 hours a week and I am expected to do a lot of heavy lifting in the stock room. I am just getting tired and my fatigue is compunded by carrying boxes back and forth. I also can't do stocking quickly no matter how hard I try. My motor skills are just too damn off. I also got yeleld at by customers a lot today which compounded by stress and made me sweaty and very nervous. I am not having a great time at work and I am thinking about just quiting out right. I have another job lined up that I am suppose to start on Aug. 30, but if I quit now that means I have ot go the rest of the summer without work. What should I do?


Baby wipes, axe body spray, deoderant kept in my locker, and a quick wash up in the bathroom saved my butt plenty of times in the machine shop that would get up to a 100 degrees sometimes in the summer with all those machines running.


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21 Jul 2010, 8:25 pm

Bugzee wrote:
My job is just a part time job at a coffee shop making minimum wage.

So, 60 hours a week is when you're asked to work extra shifts?



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21 Jul 2010, 8:31 pm

I am very sorry for the idiots having a go at you Bugzee.
I hope the situation resolves itself in a good way and people stop being downright stupid and pitiful.

*Hug* :) Good feelings to you Bugzee. You have my support. ^^


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