Advice Desperately Needed!

C

Carol242

New member
Here is the problem: I am the office manager in a small manufacturing firm in South Carolina. There are 3 women plus me that work in the office area. The problem is that one of the women is extremely obese and on some days has a VERY bad odor that can be smelled in the entire office area. I will admit that most of our customers that come into the office are men that have been doing physical labor and are sweaty, this is from hard work. Can't fault them for this. However, she has not been moving fast enough to break into a sweat.

I have spoken to her about this 3 times in the past. I believe that the problem is due to her weight (probably 450+ lbs.). Basically her work is good except for an inability to move very well or at any kind of speed around the office and can't do anything extra. This means that others always have to help her.

I need to let her go but I feel sooo bad. I know she will have a difficult time ever getting another job due to her weight, but I have to think about others in the office and our clients. Also, she has been working here for 7 years and has continued to grow. She snacks all day long, orders out or brings in fattening foods most days and does not even try to diet.

This is not a request for legal advice. I've searched the internet and since the total number of employees (shop and office) is less than 15, we are not guided by the American with Disabilities Act. So this is just an ethical issue. We have insurance that is not very good and does not have the bariatric surgery option. From what i've read, you have to be very careful when discussing weight with an employee, so I can't require that she loose weight.

I spoke with the owner and he says the decision is up to me.

Also, two other employees recently started working on their weight by eating better and walking outside the plant during lunch. I've heard them asking her to join. Yes her knees hurt, but you have to start somewhere.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.
 
I see one possible solution. If this person is a valuable employee, you might want to consider hiring a personal life coach for her. I don't believe her issues begin and end at her weight, I'm sure her self confidence must be an issue as well. This is why I don't suggest a personal trainer or a nutritionist, I think this woman needs a more holistic approach to becoming healthy. So you have someone who can work with her on all aspects of her life. (health, personal hygiene, wardrobe, organization, etc.) At first you may need to have the coach visit weekly, then biweekly, etc.
And of course, you have to give the employee an ultimatum. Work with the coach, or get out.
 
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When developing any type of fitness program you have to make it available to all employees. Boss won't go for this.
 
How about no eating in the office policy while working. As office manager you should let her know her job is on the line if others are assisting her in completing her work. Start a new hygiene policy and dress code for the office workers. Make sure you don't single her out but have a meeting for all the office personal. Make sure all rules apply to everyone. Then if she doesn't change start writing her up. This way you will have given her every chance to comply and make sure everything is in writing, with the owners approval. Give a copy to all office personal and have them sign to the fact they have read and received it then put it in there file. This way if you should end up having to fire any employee it won't come back to bite you in the ass
 
Carol242 said:
When developing any type of fitness program you have to make it available to all employees. Boss won't go for this.
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I'm not really recommending a specific fitness program am I? And you're not singling her out, since she's the only one who's had any personal problems, you're fixing a specific problem. (This is sort of like sending someone to anger management or sensitivity training, you don't send everyone) I also like BigLyn's suggestions too.
 
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Somebody recommended I look at the George Clooney movie "Up In the Air" about a man who goes around the country firing people. I actually made my decision worse! Seeing all those people loose their job and the impact on their lives was horrible.

In regards to the no eating policy, I need two snacks during the day myself so that won't work.

I've got one more day to come to a solution and get my nerve up to talk to her.
 
How about having a private chat with her about it?
Explain that it has been noticed in the office that sometimes she has a stronger body odour than the others, and that hers and other employees jobs are being affected by he immobility.
 
Carol242 said:
Here is the problem: I am the office manager in a small manufacturing firm in South Carolina. There are 3 women plus me that work in the office area. The problem is that one of the women is extremely obese and on some days has a VERY bad odor that can be smelled in the entire office area. I will admit that most of our customers that come into the office are men that have been doing physical labor and are sweaty, this is from hard work. Can't fault them for this. However, she has not been moving fast enough to break into a sweat.

I have spoken to her about this 3 times in the past. I believe that the problem is due to her weight (probably 450+ lbs.). Basically her work is good except for an inability to move very well or at any kind of speed around the office and can't do anything extra. This means that others always have to help her.

I need to let her go but I feel sooo bad. I know she will have a difficult time ever getting another job due to her weight, but I have to think about others in the office and our clients. Also, she has been working here for 7 years and has continued to grow. She snacks all day long, orders out or brings in fattening foods most days and does not even try to diet.

This is not a request for legal advice. I've searched the internet and since the total number of employees (shop and office) is less than 15, we are not guided by the American with Disabilities Act. So this is just an ethical issue. We have insurance that is not very good and does not have the bariatric surgery option. From what i've read, you have to be very careful when discussing weight with an employee, so I can't require that she loose weight.

I spoke with the owner and he says the decision is up to me.

Also, two other employees recently started working on their weight by eating better and walking outside the plant during lunch. I've heard them asking her to join. Yes her knees hurt, but you have to start somewhere.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Click to expand...


Just because you are obese doesn't mean you have to smell bad. The woman may have a medical problem. Did you consider that the woman may not realize she has a problem! I worked for a company in Columbus, Ohio and a similar circumstance happen there. Management told the woman in confidence and the woman went to the doctor. The woman had a medical problem that cause her to have a bad body odor, and the problem was solved. She was a very nice person to work with. It hurt her feelings, but she was thankful that they discussed the problem with her.
 
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