#HygieneConcerns #CoworkerIssue #WorkplaceEtiquette
Hey everyone, I need some advice on a tricky situation at work. 🤔 So, I have a coworker with some unique quirks that are starting to affect everyone in the office. How do I address it and who should I talk to?
Here’s the scoop:
– Coworker has some non-physical disabilities (autism) that limit his work tasks but is efficient at what he does.
– The issue is he has some odd habits like passing gas loudly and going to the restroom frequently.
– The main problem is he’s leaving a mess in the shared restroom – specifically poop on the back edge of the toilet seat. Yikes! 💩
– Housekeeping has put up signs, and some coworkers avoid the restroom now.
– Everyone’s hesitant to bring it up for fear of hurting his feelings or causing drama.
Any advice on how to handle this delicate situation? Here are some possible solutions:
– Have a compassionate and private conversation with the coworker directly, expressing concern and offering help.
– Bring up the issue with a supervisor or HR department for guidance on how to address the hygiene concern sensitively.
– Consider implementing additional hygiene reminders or protocols in the restroom to prevent future incidents.
What do you think? Your insights could really help me navigate this challenging dilemma. Thanks in advance for your input! 🙏 #WorkplaceDilemma #HelpNeeded
Sadly, I’ve dealt with this before at my place. Send your HR an email detailing what you’ve said here, and that you’d like it handled discreetly. The way I handled this is that I took the employee(also on the spectrum) into a meeting, and had their supervisor present. I let the employee know that the bathroom hygiene is something that was noticed, and needs corrected going forward. The supervisor is in the room to make sure that the employee can’t argue about what was said, or the outcome, later.
For me, as touchy as it is, it was simple. The employee made the excuse that they feel rushed and try to get out of the bathroom as quick as possible. I asked the manager if they can have a few extra minutes to take their time and clean up, manager agreed. Employee left the office, never had a problem again.
If your HR tells you to handle it yourself, just be calm, polite, and very sensitive. Be direct with your words – “This is a problem, we’re not here to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but we need it fixed. What would fix this issue?” Hopefully that resolves it!
I’ve dealt with this several times. It’s best to be direct and to the point.