Worker with a hygiene problem

[Docknocker]

Re: Worker with a hygiene problem

Your long list of your employee's strange behavior leads me to believe there's
W-A-Y more up with this guy than his inability to handle personal hygiene. And although you seem fond of him as an employee, I'd guess none of his quirks will ever change.
Oddly enough, I had a very similar situation with an employee. Absolutely the best worker I ever had - would out-produce any 3 other employees combined on their best day. He would produce outstanding work at an unbelievable pace, day in and day out. He would master a new task in minutes (when others would need days of training, and then maybe still never get it really right). I'd assign him a task that would take anyone else 5 hours to do, and in 2 hours it would be done to perfection, and he'd be asking me what I NEEDED (not wanted) him to do next. Most nights I'd almost have to throw him outta the place so I could lock up.
BUT - something wasn't quite right with him. Way too quiet, would hardly talk to the others. I'd have to bail him out of jail once a month for something stupid - never anything serious or violent, just stupid. And he also, like your guy, had no clue he smelled rancid, or didn't care.
I don't think your guy will ever change. You can try getting tough with him. Tell him if he wants to keep his job, clock out and not come back till he's showered and put on clean clothes. Tell him this will now be the norm if he wants to continue working for you.
You need to decide if this guy is worth losing other employees over.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Worker with a hygiene problem

You blokes have got me thinking.
His body odor is not a medical issue.....he just doesn't change his cloths, nor does he shower, but having said that, we have realised that his breath is absolutely foul....and we know from many years, he has had teeth problems he fixes himself.
He has actually cast himself a tooth to go over the remains on a proper tooth...it is silver colored....who knows what it is made of.
Now he wears clean shirt and work shorts each day, but his socks have been on for the last 4 days.
It is really hot here.
I start the day clean and by 4.30 Anita tells me I stink like a pole-cat.
He starts the day smelly.

Something has to be done....I know that....and the suggestion of "growing a pair" probably summed me up.
Dunarunas suggestion of leaving it to Anita is pretty good....he has met Anita, so has QC, and she does handle 'situations' well....does not say a lot, but you listen!!

Here are other unusual aspects of this chap.
He doesn't walk...sort of jogs at a fast pace....all the time.
He always works at a fast pace.
He never stops.
He wears blue contact lenses bought from a cheap discount chemist.
He is in to martial arts.
His maths is brilliant
His ability to remember anything is bad, unless it is mechanical (he is an ex mechanic) then he never forgets.
He will do a task, every week at same time, for years, then all of a sudden do it backwards or something, and when you point it out to him, he will declare he has always done it that way.
He is exceptionally quick with an excuse.
He reckons he gave away the 'dope' 6yrs back.

What would these symptoms leave you to think??

Cheers
Phillip

Wait, are you talking about me?

Just kiddin. Leads me to think... I don't know... meth?

 

[rolmops]

Re: Worker with a hygiene problem

I had some friends from down under and they often told me stories about working with the original inhabitants of Australia.It sounded to me that there was a big cultural difference that also expressed itself in attitudes towards personal hygiene.
Is that part of the problem that you are dealing with?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Worker with a hygiene problem

Could be bi-polar and has hidden his depressive phases.....
Could be an excentric genius.....
Could also be a cover for a learning disabilty......

These are responses my wife came up with based on what you typed. She has worked in the Mental Health Field for 10 Years and her degree is in that.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Worker with a hygiene problem

I had some friends from down under and they often told me stories about working with the original inhabitants of Australia.It sounded to me that there was a big cultural difference that also expressed itself in attitudes towards personal hygiene.
Is that part of the problem that you are dealing with?

There is definitely a cultural chasm between full blood Aboriginal and European culture in this country but i do not believe the worker in question is aboriginal.