--- title: "When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know" description: One-third of the American population has fragrance sensitivity, a qualifying condition under the ADA. Here's how to handle complaints about office smells. image: https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/office%20smells%20blog%20image.png --- - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![AxcetHR Solutions Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png)](https://www.axcethr.com/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Corporate Philantropy](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/corporate-philanthropy/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Values and Culture](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/values-and-culture/) - [Kansas PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/kansas-peo/) - [Missouri PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/missouri-peo/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [Why Choose Axcet?](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [About PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/about-peos/) - [PEO Cost](https://www.axcethr.com/peo-cost/) - [Switching PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/switching-peos/) - [Certified PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/) - [HR Outsource Options](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/outsourcing-options/) - [Client Reviews](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/client-reviews/) - [PEO Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Workers' Comp. and Employee Safety Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [PEO Expertise You Can Trust](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [Subscribe to the Blog](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com) - [Schedule a Consultation](https://www.axcethr.com/schedule-consultation/) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [Client Reviews](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/client-reviews/) - [Why Choose Axcet?](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [About PEOs](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/about-peos/) - [Certified PEO](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/) - [Options to Outsource Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/outsourcing-options/) - [Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Complete List of Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/risk-management/) - [Payroll Administration](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Expertise You Can Trust](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/) - [Subscribe to the Blog](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [About Us](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/) - [Community Involvement](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/community-involvement/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Careers](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) - [Client Portal](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - [Employee Login](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) [![fuel-blog-logo](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fuel-blog-logo.png?width=310&height=97&name=fuel-blog-logo.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com) Filter Blog by Topic - [Human Resources](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/human-resources) - [Payroll Administration](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/payroll-administration) - [Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [All about COVID-19 in the Workplace](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/covid19) - [Kansas & Missouri HR News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-and-missouri-hr-news) - [Kansas City Interest News](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/kansas-city-interest-news) - [PEO/HRO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) - Choose Topic: - [Human Resources](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/human-resources) - Payroll Administrations - [Employee Safety & Risk Management](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-safety-risk-management) - [Employee Benefits](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/employee-benefits) - [PEO](https://blog.axcethr.com/topic/peo) # When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know By [Cori McClish](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish) on [Jun 17, 2019](https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know) 2 min read [1 Comment](https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know#comments-listing) Share this: - - - - [whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know](whatsapp://send?text=https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know) - [mailto:?subject=When%20Work%20Stinks:%20What%20Employers%20Need%20to%20Know&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know](mailto:?subject=When%20Work%20Stinks:%20What%20Employers%20Need%20to%20Know&body=https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know) ![When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/office%20smells%20blog%20image.png?width=1000&name=office%20smells%20blog%20image.png) ## Employee Sensitivity to Office Smells Could Lead to Litigation Sometimes, work stinks – literally. One employee’s olfactory delight can be another colleague’s nasal affront. You could say that – similar to the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – pleasant odors are in the olfactory glands of the sniffer. ### Some of the office aromas employees most commonly complain about include: - Perfume/cologne - Food - Body odor - Cigarette smoke - Bad breath - Scented candles - Alcohol breath - Air fresheners - Kitchen/cooking odors Sometimes, odoriferous office smells can fire up internal battles. When employees express their discontent with the smells coming from down the hall, mishandling those complaints can carry major compliance risks. Employees with scents sensitivities may have underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD or allergies, all of which constitute disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Another qualifying condition is [fragrance sensitivity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19326669), which causes allergy symptoms in about one-third of the American population when they are exposed to scented products like perfume, cologne, and air fresheners. Laughing off the problem or failing to offer reasonable accommodations to employees who can’t tolerate certain office smells could open the door to ADA or civil rights litigation. [![Axcet's Director of HR Jeanette Coleman discuss the true cost of firing an employee](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/interactive-180960904317.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJMBkgqqRCUhYpkgn0gRf%2BFt7VXjfHqL%2FhdXPndbKZbDDN1xVuIeuytSQo1R45HNBBlC%2FmkEoVqO44Hx6jpO81WipQpIpr%2Fw5I5IVSVfKj4p00uaw0%2BjlsoRke56SYFVDHBiEri9UJ8c2FjFVic%2Bm4nVtBRdoMGqFbVRSBpaUrOgpnjBx4QL%2F0pp8%2F90ssFByZlmTIfdBHqgcCBNnBx%2BQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=180960904317&portalId=2652187) ## Additional Steps to Address Unwanted Office Smells Besides accommodating the complaining employees with solutions that could include relocation, air purifiers and telecommuting, other steps employers can take to clear the air include: - Including language that addresses personal hygiene and “excessive” smells and scents in employee handbooks and dress code policies. - Conducting a good-faith, interactive process to individually assess an affected employee’s requested accommodation, even if it’s not granted. - Having managers, with the assistance of an HR professional, discreetly address the offending employee in person to resolve the situation. - Establishing food-related policies and having the breakroom refrigerator regularly cleaned. - Discreetly coaching and counseling employees who smell like cigarette smoke and treating complaints as you would any other performance issue as it relates to hygiene and dress code. Additionally, suggesting practices like hand washing, wearing a jacket outside to smoke and removing it before coming back in, and/or waiting a few moments before coming back inside after smoking are other ways smokers can try to lessen the odor. Office smells can sour your business if they stymy employee productivity. Don’t let one employee’s tuna sandwich or penchant for perfume start a chain reaction of events that could land you in court. Discourage actions and products that create odors employees could find offensive and take related complaints seriously to avoid putting your company in the compliance crosshairs. [![Workers' Comp Insurance for Small Business](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/interactive-184991639090.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIeY0PNog5m%2FRnYQRUx5pt52m31kI8C9plnhtCaxSmigP8SgVWFkUBjpW2Ei6e%2FWEgXVzBel%2Fcg0cswB%2FoSpqLWv8oypqUvyoWU7TVwlpDI1Y088h5MG5emhXUQwUtnS34PD7LgCUhcTAptQZasZ0fHjD%2FwdlAUoPj0eToRvIinuSgRQd3ZjcEfJUHX5jYJmNm3LKXwbhDMqaXAZq5ELqeC%2BAzovB6TtjBHSqwLv1x7D90Ir%2FqdArNg5fKrvxpDD9uKL4%2BCoZFbSpnm2kLDGB91eQVb%2FrJCU3r91ATzTRsPSPIiDLjjtxAST%2BrUOAu1M5Xn4IniWGjCtW89V1k%3D&webInteractiveContentId=184991639090&portalId=2652187) ## **Tackle Sensitive Workplace Issues with Expert Support** When personal hygiene concerns affect the workplace, addressing them requires discretion, empathy, and a firm understanding of HR best practices. Axcet HR Solutions helps small and mid-sized businesses navigate these uncomfortable but important conversations while maintaining professionalism, protecting employee dignity, and minimizing legal risk. 👉 [Explore Axcet’s Employee Relations Consulting Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/employee-relations-consultant/) to handle sensitive employee issues with confidence and care. For more information on how Axcet HR Solutions can help you and your business with employee relations, [visit our website](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/employee-relations-consultant/).  [![Subscribe now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2652187/3ce89456-4e5b-4313-96c5-66d3f47eacba.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2652187/3ce89456-4e5b-4313-96c5-66d3f47eacba) [![Cori McClish](https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cori%202.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=Cori%202.jpg)](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish) Written by #### [Cori McClish](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish) [View all posts →](https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish) ### Get HR Updates ### Table of Contents ### Related Resources - [services Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [services HR Compliance](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/hr-compliance-specialist/) #### [New Kansas City Law Prohibits Employers from Asking Salary History Questions ![New Kansas City Law Prohibits Employers from Asking Salary History Questions](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/June%2024%20Blog.png)](https://blog.axcethr.com/new-kansas-city-law-prohibits-employers-from-asking-salary-history-questions) #### [![Fair Pay is Fair Play: A Pay Equity Audit Ensures Compliance with New Laws](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/Cori%20McClish%20Quote.png) Fair Pay is Fair Play: A Pay Equity Audit Ensures Compliance with New Laws](https://blog.axcethr.com/fair-pay-is-fair-play-a-pay-equity-audit-ensures-compliance-with-new-laws) ## Let us know what you think... ![AxcetHR Blog](https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/AxcetHR2021%20Blog/axcethr_logo_white%20(1).png) - [Why Axcet](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/) - [What We Stand For](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/what-we-stand-for/) - [Expertise](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.axcethr.com/services/employee-benefits/) - [Human Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/services/human-resources/) - [Payroll Services](https://www.axcethr.com/services/payroll-and-tax-administration-services/) - [Risk Management](https://www.axcethr.com/services/workers-comp-and-employee-safety-risk-management/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.axcethr.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Subscribe to Latest Resources](https://www.axcethr.com/subscribe-to-the-latest-resources/) - [Resource Library](https://www.axcethr.com/expertise/resource-library/) - [\[ Client Portal \]](https://www.axcethr.com/client-services/) - - - - - Search for: Copyright © 2023 Axcet HR Solutions – Kansas City's PEO Since 1988 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.axcethr.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms and Conditions](https://www.axcethr.com/terms-conditions/) | [**Join our Team – Careers »**](https://axcethrsolutions.prismhr-hire.com/) 10975 Grandview Drive Suite 200, Corporate Woods Building 27, Overland Park, KS 66210 | Call us: 913-383-2999 *The IRS does not endorse any particular For more information on [certified professional employer organizations](https://www.axcethr.com/why-axcet/certified-peo/), go to [www.irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov).* Remove cookies ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=43031&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Cori McClish", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-04T02:30:01.748Z", "datePublished" : "2019-06-17T17:19:18.000Z", "headline" : "When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know", "image" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/office%20smells%20blog%20image.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hubfs/_logo_axcethr_primary.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5", "reviewCount" : "100" }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Country", "name" : "United States" }, "award" : [ "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO)", "Award-Winning HR Solutions Provider", "SHRM Certified HR Professionals", "HRCI Certified HR Professionals" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service" }, "description" : "Award-winning Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing comprehensive HR solutions, payroll services, employee benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. Founded in Kansas City in 1988 with 35+ years of expertise.", "foundingDate" : "1988", "foundingLocation" : { "@type" : "Place", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Kansas City", "addressRegion" : "MO" } }, "hasOfferCatalog" : { "@type" : "OfferCatalog", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Comprehensive HR management services including recruitment, retention, performance management, and company culture development", "name" : "Human Resources Management" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Accurate payroll processing and payroll tax filing with dedicated payroll consultants", "name" : "Payroll Processing" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Group employee benefits management including health insurance evaluation, selection, and administration", "name" : "Employee Benefits Administration" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Workplace safety compliance and risk management solutions", "name" : "Risk Management" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "Employment law compliance, regulatory reporting, and guidance from employment law attorneys", "name" : "HR Compliance & Legal Support" } } ], "name" : "HR Solutions Services" }, "keywords" : "PEO, Professional Employer Organization, HR Solutions, Human Resources Outsourcing, Payroll Services, Employee Benefits, Kansas City PEO, Small Business HR, Mid-Sized Business HR, HR Consulting, IRS Certified PEO, CPEO", "knowsAbout" : [ "Human Resources Management", "Professional Employer Organization", "PEO Services", "Payroll Processing", "Employee Benefits Administration", "Risk Management", "HR Compliance", "Health Plan Management", "Talent Recruitment", "Performance Management", "Workplace Safety", "Employment Law Compliance" ], "legalName" : "Axcet HR Solutions", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.axcethr.com/wp-content/uploads/axcet-logo.png" }, "memberOf" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "IRS Certified Professional Employer Organizations" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions", "numberOfEmployees" : { "@type" : "QuantitativeValue", "value" : "50-200" }, "sameAs" : [ "https://blog.axcethr.com" ], "slogan" : "HR Support That Drives Success", "url" : "https://www.axcethr.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know#article", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "alternativeHeadline" : "Employee Sensitivity to Office Smells Could Lead to false", "articleBody" : "Employee Sensitivity to Office Smells Could Lead to Litigation Sometimes, work stinks – literally. One employee’s olfactory delight can be another colleague’s nasal affront. You could say that – similar to the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – pleasant odors are in the olfactory glands of the sniffer. Some of the office aromas employees most commonly complain about include: Perfume/cologne Food Body odor Cigarette smoke Bad breath Scented candles Alcohol breath Air fresheners Kitchen/cooking odors Sometimes, odoriferous office smells can fire up internal battles. When employees express their discontent with the smells coming from down the hall, mishandling those complaints can carry major compliance risks. Employees with scents sensitivities may have underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD or allergies, all of which constitute disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Another qualifying condition is fragrance sensitivity, which causes allergy symptoms in about one-third of the American population when they are exposed to scented products like perfume, cologne, and air fresheners. Laughing off the problem or failing to offer reasonable accommodations to employees who can’t tolerate certain office smells could open the door to ADA or civil rights litigation. Additional Steps to Address Unwanted Office Smells Besides accommodating the complaining employees with solutions that could include relocation, air purifiers and telecommuting, other steps employers can take to clear the air include: Including language that addresses personal hygiene and “excessive” smells and scents in employee handbooks and dress code policies. Conducting a good-faith, interactive process to individually assess an affected employee’s requested accommodation, even if it’s not granted. Having managers, with the assistance of an HR professional, discreetly address the offending employee in person to resolve the situation. Establishing food-related policies and having the breakroom refrigerator regularly cleaned. Discreetly coaching and counseling employees who smell like cigarette smoke and treating complaints as you would any other performance issue as it relates to hygiene and dress code. Additionally, suggesting practices like hand washing, wearing a jacket outside to smoke and removing it before coming back in, and/or waiting a few moments before coming back inside after smoking are other ways smokers can try to lessen the odor. Office smells can sour your business if they stymy employee productivity. Don’t let one employee’s tuna sandwich or penchant for perfume start a chain reaction of events that could land you in court. Discourage actions and products that create odors employees could find offensive and take related complaints seriously to avoid putting your company in the compliance crosshairs. Tackle Sensitive Workplace Issues with Expert Support When personal hygiene concerns affect the workplace, addressing them requires discretion, empathy, and a firm understanding of HR best practices. Axcet HR Solutions helps small and mid-sized businesses navigate these uncomfortable but important conversations while maintaining professionalism, protecting employee dignity, and minimizing legal risk. 👉 Explore Axcet’s Employee Relations Consulting Services to handle sensitive employee issues with confidence and care. For more information on how Axcet HR Solutions can help you and your business with employee relations, visit our website.", "author" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish#author", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Cori McClish", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/author/cori-mcclish" }, "dateCreated" : "2019-06-17", "dateModified" : "2026-03-04", "datePublished" : "2019-06-17", "description" : "Employee Sensitivity to Office Smells Could Lead to Litigation Sometimes, work stinks – literally. One employee’s olfactory delight can be another colleague’s nasal affront. You could say that – similar to the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – pleasant odors are in the olfactory glands of the sniffer. Some of the office ...", "editor" : "Cori McClish", "genre" : "Human Resources and Employee Management", "headline" : "When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know", "image" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2652187/office%20smells%20blog%20image.png", "keywords" : "Human Resources, human resource management, HR Compliance, ADA, fragrance sensitivity, fragrance sensitivity in the workplace, can an employer tell you not to wear parfume, is scent sensitivity a disability, fragrance sensitivity ADA, office smells, scent sensitivity in the workplace", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.axcethr.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/axcethr_logo_white.png?width=225&name=axcethr_logo_white.png" }, "name" : "Axcet HR Solutions" }, "url" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know", "wordCount" : "3521" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/", "name" : "Insights", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://insights.axcethr.com/tag/human-resources", "name" : "Human Resources", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.axcethr.com/when-work-stinks-what-employers-need-to-know", "name" : "When Work Stinks: What Employers Need to Know", "position" : 4 } ] } ```