Description:
I enjoy wearing perfume/cologne as part of my personal style, but I work in a small open-plan office where a few coworkers have mentioned scent sensitivities and one past client reacted strongly. I also travel for client meetings and want to maintain a polished personal brand. How can I balance expressing my style with respecting colleagues’ health and professional norms? When is wearing fragrance acceptable or inappropriate at work (clients, interviews, open offices, shared meeting rooms)? What practical guidelines should I follow for strength, application, and timing, and how should I approach setting or following a workplace scent policy or discussing sensitivities with HR or teammates?
2 Answers
One time I wore a new heavy oud to an all hands because I thought it screamed grown up and polished. I learned two things fast. Someone had to step out coughing. I felt awful and a little mortified. I also discovered I was the only one who loved that scent. Embarrassing. Too honest. Too much info.
Short version, keep it minimal at work. For open offices and shared rooms avoid any strong scent. For client meetings and travel tone it down to one light spray before leaving home or a tiny dab behind the ear. Interviews call for none. Timing matters. Do not reapply at your desk or in meeting rooms. If you want a signature scent for client dinners, pick discreet occasions and check cultural norms first.
When broaching policy, be private and empathetic. Tell HR about health incidents and suggest a voluntary scent-free guideline or an anonymous survey. Offer to accommodate coworkers with sensitivities and ask politely if your scent bothers someone. Small changes. Big respect. You’ll keep your style without causing problems.
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