I had no idea that a single sentence from my recent Soapbox, Applicants Aren’t The Only Ones Who Need To Make A Good First Impression, would net such a reader reaction. The sentence: “Though, I will admit, a light cologne or perfume doesn’t hurt.” Apparently, several readers disagree. They pointed out that wearing perfume could be harmful to an applicant who suffers from chemical sensitivities and allergies, and suggested interviewers refrain from wearing fragrances and taking the chance that it could have an adverse effect on an applicant.
If I was scheduling an interview and an applicant informed me that they were extremely allergic to certain fragrances, I’d forgo my favorite scent in a heartbeat. But without such a warning, an arbitrary ban on all fragrances because of the potential risks colognes and perfumes may pose would certainly ruffle my feathers.
One of the main reasons such a ban wouldn’t sit too well with me is because I believe it is the responsibility of the individual with the sensitivity to alert me, or the company, to the condition. It is not the responsibility of the company to offer an accommodation that isn’t asked for or obviously needed.
Plus, a total ban seems like an extreme accommodation. I’m sure in some situations it is medically necessary. I would think, however, that in other situations there would be alternative accommodations. After all, how does the individual manage their allergy when taking public transportation, shopping, or going to the movies?
Maybe some of the techniques the individual employs when in public can also be used in the workplace. Maybe they can’t. All I’m saying is that instead of adopting a complete ban on all fragrances because someone could be allergic, a better course of action would be to explore accommodation options when the need for one is explicitly expressed or clearly obvious. Some ideas: Install an air purification system in the facility or get a small purifier for the employee to keep in their workspace; move the employee’s workstation to an area where they’d have less exposure to fragrances; reduce the employee’s direct contact with co-workers by permitting them to conduct business via e-mail, phone, instant messaging; or designate meetings as fragrance-free.
If after exploring all accommodation options, a total ban on perfumes and colognes is the only way a co-worker can perform their job with the same level of comfort as me, I’ll gladly retire my spritzing finger before coming to work.
Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor
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