We have an employee that has a noticeable odor. Other employees are complaining about it. How should we approach this individual?

That situation should be confronted delicately. You may suspect it’s a hygiene issue, but it could be caused by a medical condition, so you need to be discreet when you talk to the employee. Take the person aside to discuss the matter privately, and indicate that it has come to your attention that the employee tends to have a noticeable body odor. The employee might already be aware of the problem or be completely unaware of it and embarrassed to find out this way.

Ask if the employee can come up with some solutions to address the problem. Hopefully, the person will think of a possible source — certain foods tend to react badly with some people’s chemical makeup to produce an odor, and some people have a bad reaction to certain laundry soaps or other skin products. Go over some possibilities together (it’s possible the employee will admit it’s a hygiene issue).

You may want to suggest that the person check with a doctor to find out the cause and see if there is anything medically that can address the problem (for example, there are over-the-counter and prescription remedies for hyperhidrosis, if the problem is excessive sweating). If it is a medical issue, tread cautiously, because you might be encroaching on something that's a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which may require you to make an accommodation.

The key is to show respect and compassion. As embarrassing as this conversation is for you, it’s doubly so for the employee, so try to minimize the embarrassment as much as possible. Monitor the situation or discuss it with the employee privately in a couple of weeks, to see if any progress has been made.

Companies have the right to implement personal hygiene policies and expect employees to look, act, and even smell professional while at work.