The Bert Show - "Vault: The Smelly Coworker Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About"
Date: April 3, 2026
Main Theme:
How should workplaces and individuals handle the sensitive, awkward, and all-too-common issue of an offensive-smelling coworker? The Bert Show team shares stories—some personal, some from listeners—and explores practical, humane ways to approach this delicate problem.
Episode Overview
The Bert Show tackles a recurring, uncomfortable workplace dilemma: when someone’s body odor becomes an issue that others notice and discuss but no one wants to confront directly. The hosts swap stories and bring in listener experiences, including managers, coworkers, and HR professionals who have faced this challenge head-on. The conversation digs into the nuances—the emotions, potential embarrassment, and tricky social politics—of giving or receiving feedback about personal hygiene.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Problem’s Prevalence & Why It Happens
- Seasonal Increase: Bert notes that emails about this spike in warmer weather.
- "[Is it] getting warmer. Is that why you think we're getting them more emails?" (00:22, B)
- It’s Not Perfume: Clarifies the topic is solely about offensive body odor, not strong scents otherwise.
- "It's body odor that more than one person around your office has mentioned." (00:34, A)
- People Often Unaware:
- "Never know they smell." (02:28, C)
2. Personal & Listener Stories
- Radio Studio Anecdotes:
- Abby recounts a former coworker whose post-bike-commute odor became so bad that the next host smoked a cigar in the studio to mask the smell.
- "The guy who came in after her [...] smoked part of a cigar in the studio to get this smell. Because the only thing that could overpower that one smell was the smell of a cigar." (01:21, C)
- Church Setting Experience:
- Listener Emma shares how their group tried to subtly address the issue but ultimately resorted to installing air fresheners above the person's seat.
- "We even went to their house so it wouldn't be on the church setting, and they didn’t do anything about it. So we ended up having to install one of those little air fresheners that went off, like, every 18, 36 minutes above where they sat." (03:16, F)
- Direct Confrontation:
- William, a caller, describes pulling a coworker aside and being frank.
- "I just pulled him to the side and [...] said, dude, you're gonna have to kill that buck crack stank, bro." (05:16, H)
3. The Role of HR & Approaching the Conversation
- HR’s Reluctant Role:
- It's often HR’s duty, but sometimes employees are nominated to have the uncomfortable talk.
- "I'm like, the nicest person to everybody [...] and they always pick me to have the talk with people, and I've had to do it several times." (06:12, G)
- Language Matters:
- The team questions which terms are the least offensive—'smell', 'scent', or 'body odor'—with HR preferring 'body odor.'
- "Yeah, body odor." (07:06, G)
- Emphasizing Help:
- HR often offers assistance (e.g., soap, perfume) rather than just criticism.
- "...if you need any help with, you know, some soap or some, you know, perfume or something like that, you know, we'll be more than willing to help you out." (06:38, G)
4. Social Dynamics & Sensitivity
- Friendship Facilitates Candor:
- The group agrees it’s easier to receive feedback from a coworker you’re friendly with.
- "I think B, it depends on your relationship at work, if you're buddies, if your co workers. It would be a lot easier to take, don't you think?" (05:53, D)
- Humiliation vs. Help:
- Most would prefer someone tells them, even if it's awkward, rather than be the subject of office jokes and avoidance.
- "Wouldn't you rather know, like, if you're that person? Like, wouldn't you rather have one person have the face to face with you and have it awkward rather than know everybody in the office is laughing and sort of avoiding you because you reek." (08:31, A)
5. Memorable & Humorous Moments
- The Cigar Solution:
- "The guy who came in after her was actually lit and smoked part of a cigar in the studio to get this smell [...] the only thing that could overpower that was a cigar." (01:21–01:35, C)
- Direct Honesty:
- "Kill that buck crack stank, bro." (05:16, H)
- HR’s Template:
- "I don’t want to offend you, but your smell is kind of offending other people." (06:29, G)
- Joking Comparison:
- "You're not the Licey kid in the office." (09:03, A)
- "The only thing worse than that, that's the Licey kid." (08:53, A)
Notable Quotes and Moments with Timestamps
-
Bert on the Challenge:
- "If there is somebody in the office that is so offensive, smell wise, how do you handle it?" (00:00, A)
-
Abby’s Studio Story:
- "The only thing that could overpower that smell was the smell of a cigar." (01:27, C)
-
Listener Emma on Subtle Solutions:
- "We ended up having to install one of those little air fresheners that went off, like, every 18, 36 minutes above where they sat." (03:18, F)
-
William on Blunt Honesty:
- "You're gonna have to kill that buck crack stank, bro." (05:16, H)
-
Carrie from HR on Approach:
- "I don’t want to offend you, but your smell is kind of offending other people." (06:29, G)
-
Christina on Talking to a Boss:
- "When I told her, she was just. She was embarrassed, but she was like, thank you so much. She said, I’m gonna kill my daughters for not anything to me." (08:14, E)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – 01:49: Setting up the topic, sharing personal stories
- 03:03 – 04:36: Listener Emma's story from a church setting
- 05:04 – 05:53: Listener William’s direct confrontation story
- 06:07 – 07:08: HR professional Carrie discusses her approach and preferred language
- 08:12 – 08:31: Listener Christina’s experience with her boss and the importance of kindness
- 08:31 – 09:12: Reflection on whether people would want to know or remain blissfully unaware; joking comparisons to being "the Licey kid"
Conclusion
Tone: Light, direct, sometimes irreverent, but ultimately concerned with kindness and practical solutions.
Takeaway:
While handling a coworker’s body odor problem is never easy, the best approach combines honesty, empathy, and discretion—ideally in private, using gentle language, and with genuine offers to help. The Bert Show’s stories and calls underline that the awkwardness is universal, but most people would prefer an uncomfortable talk over being ostracized or laughed at in secret. As one HR pro put it: "I don’t want to offend you, but your smell is kind of offending other people." (06:29, G)
For more episodes or to call in with your own stories, visit thebertshow.com.
