Care package not way to handle smelly problem

Employee with foul body odor should see a doctor to find out whether there is a medical reason. (istockphoto)

Q. I have an employment situation that I sincerely do not know how to handle. I am an office manager in the accounting department. There are 19 full- and part-time employees here whom I supervise. Several of the employees have come to me complaining about one particular employee. This accountant has been with the company for several years and is a good accountant and worker. However, his personal hygiene is horrible. He does not bathe as often as he should, and the employees whose cubicles surround him are complaining about his body odor. He is in his 40s and surely should know better. I don't think it is a health issue, as his fingernails are very dirty also. This is such a crazy situation. I am a woman in my early 50s, and to be honest, I really don't know the right way to approach this man. I thought that I might leave a "care package" of soap and deodorant in his desk drawer, so as not to embarrass him. I also think that my boss, a male, should address this situation, but so far, he has ignored it. Please help me address this so that I won't break any laws and won't hurt any feelings!

A. Leaving a "care package" for your employee is not the way to handle this problem. This is a difficult situation, and I am afraid there is no easy way to discuss this problem. However, this situation should never have gone on as long as it has. The fact that he has worked there for years without someone addressing this situation is really poor management and poor communications. I think you need to recognize the distinct possibility that his feelings may be hurt, but it is necessary to have this conversation. It might have been easier for a "man to man" conversation, but it might have been difficult to hear from your boss's boss that you have an odor problem. So I am afraid you are it, or you can ask a human resources representative to speak to your employee.

I would ensure that you have privacy for this discussion. I would then try to be as factual as possible. Several colleagues have reported that it is difficult to work in close proximity to him because of a persistent body odor. I would ask if he is aware that he has a body odor problem. He may not be. I would suggest that he see his doctor immediately to see if there is a medical reason for the odor. Other things he might want to check are changing deodorants, changing his dietary menu, changing his hygiene habits, and changing his clothing. I would then emphasize that you need to see the problem corrected as soon as possible. I would set up a follow-up date for the two of you to meet and review progress.

Stick to the facts. Focus on stating the problem and looking for a solution. Emphasize how much you value his work but you need to have him address this problem immediately. Good luck.

A. There could be many reasons for the cold treatment. Perhaps, one or more of your colleagues feels that you have offended them in some way. Try to review in your mind any exchanges that might have been misconstrued. Think about your demeanor with them. Do you always try to be right? Could you be perceived as a "know-it-all?" Are you always trying to give advice, whether solicited or not? If you can honestly answer no to all of these scenarios, I think we need to consider the fact that the work group does not know how to work with someone of a different age than themselves. This might sound absurd to you, but it is more prevalent than you might think.

I know this may sound risky, but have you thought about saying something to the boss. If the boss is not aware of the situation, this will clue him/her in that there is a problem. A good manager should address the situation. This can be done in a variety of ways. For example, the boss might suggest that the entire group participate in a class on four generations in the workplace. This might give the group the starting point to begin to have good conversations about what is good and what is different about having a mix of people working in the same office. Your manager may need assistance on how to manage a multigenerational office as well. Perhaps, the manager was aware of it but did not know how to deal with it. This class may be just the thing your office needed to get the conversation going.

In the meantime, I would look in other departments for some lunch buddies. Make lunch plans with a friend at least once a week so that you have some social interaction with a friendly face. As a last resort, I might apply for other positions in the company and see if a transfer enables you to have more social interaction with your colleagues.

A. Sure. This question is not meant to stump you, I assure you. Most interviewers ask it just to get the conversation going and think they are asking you something relatively easy to answer. However, I think your response is very important and can set the tone for the rest of the interview. I urge all readers to give your response great thought and practice, practice, practice your delivery.

I would start by focusing your answer on business-related activities with the exception of an interesting background fact that may help the interviewer remember you even after the 10th interview for the same job. For example, "I was born in Alaska but have lived in Boston all my adult life." The fact that you are from Alaska is quite unusual and will stick in the interviewer's mind. Other interesting factoids might be "After serving in the Peace Corps for four years, I moved to Boston." "Since I am one of eight kids, I learned very early how important self-sufficiency is." "I am originally from Guatemala so I speak fluent Spanish, but I also speak French, German, and of course, English."

Plan on one to two minutes to present your answer. That may not sound like enough time, but believe me, it is plenty. In this age of sound bites, you will be lucky if you keep someone's attention for the full time. The interviewer will go back to the points she wants to hear more about. Focus on presenting the interviewer with a snapshot of your career to date. Add your education if it makes you a stronger candidate for the job. If it does not add value, leave it out. Remember, if you don't think you are interesting, how will the interviewer? Talk with good energy and enthusiasm. You are selling you as a candidate so put a smile on your face and make good eye contact.

Here is a possible response for a "tell me about yourself" question from a banking representative interviewing for a branch manager's position:

"I grew up in Roxbury and had my first job at 18 as a teller at the neighborhood bank. I worked 30 hours a week and went to UMass Boston at night for my bachelor's degree. I realized I was really good with the customers. I remembered their names, and many started to ask for me whenever they came to the bank. I liked to problem solve with them if they could not balance their checkbooks or figure out their statements. My boss recognized that I was really good at my job and after two years, promoted me to banking representative. I liked that job a lot because I could get to know my customers really well and made recommendations about other products that I thought would be a fit for them. After a few months, a lot of the staff would come to me to ask questions because they knew I would know the answer. I left the bank when I had my first child, but now I am ready to return to work, and I am very excited. I am ready to take on the next level of responsibility which would be to manage the branch, and when I saw this ad, I thought it sounded like a perfect fit."

This is a fairly short response but it tells the interviewer a lot of information. First, she has relevant experience and was promoted twice in a relatively short time period. Second, she is good with customers and was seen as knowledgeable by the staff. Third, she is excited to return to work.

Obviously, if you have been working over 30 years, you want to highlight jobs that are relevant to the current job you are interviewing for. The "tell me about yourself" presentation is an important step in gaining the interest of the interviewer if it is done thoughtfully, crisply, and with good energy.

The key is to plan and practice ahead of time so your delivery sets just the right tone. And don't forget that all important eye contact. It is a must.

Joan Cirillo is the executive director of Operation A.B.L.E., a nonprofit that provides employment and training opportunities to mature workers 45 and older.

E-mail questions to jobdoc@globe.com or mail to Job Doc, Boston Globe, Box 55819, Boston, 02205-5819.