One of the more sensitive conversations an employer can have in practice is when there are issues with an employee's presentability or personal hygiene. Conversations about appearance, odour and cleanliness are often very awkward and it can be taken the wrong way. However, if left unchecked, a hygiene issue can damage not only the employee's reputation but also the practice's. For tight-knit dental teams, issues with personal hygiene can have an even greater impact due to the close proximity of working with other team members and patients.
Not all personal hygiene issues are the same and they can be caused by a range of things. As an employer you should be sure to have as much information on the situation as you can before discussing it with the employee. You cannot rely only on information from others and so should make an effort to gather information personally. This allows for a more honest and open discussion with the employee without involving anyone else. Before the meeting you should consider the potential reasons for recent changes to body odour, an unkempt appearance or tattered clothing. Could the change reflect financial issues for the employee which could impede their ability to purchase cleaning products? Does the employee have a medical condition that is causing the situation? Could it be medical treatment that is impacting on their appearance? Is it a broken down boiler or shower at home. Whatever the underlying cause, it is important that you get as much information as you can beforehand to enable you to address the problem appropriately.
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