Description:
I work in a hybrid, client-facing role and like wearing a subtle fragrance, but I’m worried about coworkers’ allergies, scent-free policies, and coming across as unprofessional. What are practical guidelines for choosing and applying personal scents at work, how do I test workplace tolerance, when should I avoid fragrance entirely (interviews, client visits, meetings in small rooms), and how should I respond if a colleague or HR asks for a scent-free environment? Are there legal or etiquette considerations I should know about when balancing personal style and workplace comfort?
2 Answers
Love wearing a scent? Me too! 😊 Keep it tiny and controlled. Solid perfumes or one micro-dab on a scarf gives way more predictablity than sprays. Try it in public places first instead of asking coworkers. If HR or a colleague asks for scent-free, apologize and stop right away. Employers may need to accommodate severe fragrance sensitivity under disability laws imo.
Perfume can actually boost perceived professionalism if it is noticeable, so pick a bold scent and spray onto clothes not skin to last longer. Test tolerance by asking for a dramatic reaction from one co-worker. Legally there are only extreme allergy cases, so HR usually sides with style
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