AIO for wanting to quit my job after being told that I smell and wear weird clothes?
Thursday, 13 Mar 2025
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Tell your manager, I was going through something like this and my manager understood because she had been homeless before. Explain your situation.
I just want to commend you for not giving up on life when you were at rock bottom. Your work ethic is admirable and I am proud of you. As for hygiene, can you bring a backpack and pack your work clothes in those? Inside the backpack you could get these following items from the dollar store: 1-2 dryer sheets, a stick of deodorant, wet wipes. My idea for you is to get to work, wipe down the stinky areas (crotch & pits, ass crack) with the wet wipes, use deodorant and then your clothes will smell like the dryer sheets. I’ve been in your shoes before and it’s really hard when those who are blessed and fortunate don’t even realize how much work others put it to even appear like they are fine. NOR. Keep your head up King.
What size / type of clothes do you need? I have a bag of things I was going to donate to Goodwill but… maybe could help?
Whatever happens find a reason to keep trying. Even for your dog. He/she needs you.
I’ve been homeless and the smelly guy at work, dirty clothes and dirty hair. It’s embarassing but it’s temporary and in 10 years you’ll look back and be glad you didn’t end it all because of something like this. Push through for your pupper who’s depending on you.
First off. Do not quit. Be honest and tell them your story. Get their reaction to that first…
Yes it sucks to be told that. And I’m so sorry you’re going through what you went through and now this…. But you have to understand that people are ignorant to struggle when they don’t go through it themselves and they can be so petty.
You need this job until you find a new one.
You should head over to r/assistance. Create an Amazon wish list and someone will fulfill it for you! It has helped me out a lot this last year.
What size clothes you wear?
You’re not wrong for feeling this way.. getting kicked while u’re down is brutal .. but quitting won’t fix anything.. is there a way to talk to HR or trusted coworker for some help?? U’re already pushing through so much don’t let this break u
Hey, you’re doing great and getting better.
Link a wishlist and I will help you out, hopefully you have an address
if you’d like to send me a DM. I’ll cashapp or venmo you a little bit so you can atleast get some deodorant and other hygiene products.
so sorry you’re going through this.
as others have said, explain your situation to your boss. i’m sure most people would empathize with your situation to at least some degree and may even wanna help you out. if you need help, then you need help- don’t be too proud to accept or ask for it if you truly need it.
I hope this is helpful and not offensive – have you thought about hand washing your clothes at the hotel using soap? Even a small bar of soap scrubbed on clothing and soaked in the tub/sink can help, and then hung to dry overnight (or laid on the ac unit/heater).
Make and post an Amazon wishlist. Let us help
You should wash your clothes and then take them in a bag and leave them at work in your locker.
IF you are not allowed to leave them there overnight you should walk to work in other clothes that you don’t mind if they get smelly and keep your work clothes once cleaned in a separate bag. Once you’re at work you can then change into clean work clothes and do the same when you leave.
If you can’t afford cologne you should go into any pharmacy or department store and pick one that you like and spray it a couple times on your clean work clothes (the tester) you can also ask for samples they usually give them out for free.
Check the food banks near you they usually have a small section for hygiene so you can get deodorant.
Lastly try to reach out to a church, they may have resources to help you with work attire until you can get back on your feet. If all else fails someone will be able to provide you with deodorant and basic hygiene items I’m sure.
Can we send donations? Just to help you with what we can?
Set up a go fund me so we can all start donating to you
First off, this is only just a challenge, just a bump in the road. Remember, your dog needs you more than you need your dog. It seems that you’re a very strong person, especially to have come this far!
Just curious what company do you work for? Their way of handling this was pretty lame. Like this is something they should have done in privacy, AND in person. Before I saw they corrected themselves in the last text with “dog” my mouth had fallen open.
Honestly, just be honest.
I wouldn’t respond in text, or at least not say too much.
I would hold off until you go back in. Then, professionally as you can, explain your situation. They could help you if they understood better.
Let’s forget about everything for a moment.
I’m really sorry you’re having a difficult time right now, and it seems so hopeless. But there’s hope still.
Reading your post not only brought tears to my eyes, but it also helped me not feel so alone for a moment.
You can DM me if you need to talk
Keep your head up, cause mine will be down a little if I don’t hear from ya tomorrow, my friend!
Sorry just need to make dinner lol
YOR. I get that this can feel like an attack, especially since you’re working so hard to improve your situation already and you should be so proud of yourself for that.
However, if you’re in a customer based industry sometimes hygiene is just a conversation managers have to have with staff. I can tell you right now, we don’t feel good about those conversations ourselves. I think the last message was unnecessary but otherwise she wasn’t mean or putting you down.
Don’t quit, sit your manager down 1 on 1 and explain your situation. How they handle that conversation will be the decider of if you should quit or stick it out. I’ve gone out of my way many times before to ensure my staff don’t go without the essentials.
Please don’t end it all. You have a job. You’re moving forward. You can and will make it through this period of difficulty. Also: your co-worker is a jerk
Try to tackle to smell problem first. The clothes can come later. People will be able to see past them but they won’t be able to handle bad smells. Please see if there is a number you can call. Tell them your situation. I think someone could provide you with deodorant. Good-luck.
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There are shelters and resources you should check out! Lots of resources for people getting back into the workforce. I don’t know where you live but I’d be shocked if there wasn’t at least a church or shelter that would have basics for you — hygiene products, clothing, etc. At least some stuff to make you feel a little less self-conscious. You’re doing great — don’t let this (super unprofessional) text exchange derail you 👏
What size do you wear? What do you need? Do you have an address I can ship you some shirts socks etc?
I will Venmo you or cash app you a bit to help. DM me
If you have hand sanitizer around your work you can use it as deodorant because it kills the bacteria that causes you to smell. It’s not super great for your skin but it does work.
YOR. Explain to your boss the situation you’re in right now. There are shelters you can get deodorant from or the dollar stores usually have $1 sticks you can get pretty cheap. You’re boss might be willing to help you out a little bit in this situation. It won’t hurt just to explain. If you quit your job you’ll be in a way worse situation
I’m in Canada. How can I be of some help OP??
YOR. Your boss didn’t want to send that just as badly as you did not want to receive it. You need to sit down with him and explain your situation. You can get hygiene supplies through local non-profits for free or fairly inexpensively. You can get through this, you’ve conquered so much already, why let that all go to waste?
Go to a church and ask for help(you don’t need to be religious). There are services that will give you things you need.
If you can’t afford it now, definitely do not quit.
Go to your local food bank, they should have other necessities (i.e. soap and deodorant). See if there are local community closets or, honestly, go on a facebook and find your area’s buy/sell/trade and see if anyone is willing to give up stuff for free.
Is there a homeless shelter or men’s/women’s/ shelter? They can usually provide hygiene and clothes.
If your response to this is to quit the job and end it all, then yea, you’re overreacting.
You need to have an actual conversation about this with the supervisor/manager/boss/whoever texted that to you. You can clearly identify the things that you need help with so just lay it out there. Maybe just show them this post. Whatever you do, don’t let shame fuck you over even further.
Op. I’ve been there. Any chance you have an Amazon wishlist or something? Reddit may be a wild place but we do come together. r/assistance is a good place to post
This might be a shitty solution but have you looked into a homeless shelter? I worked at one and while you’re there you don’t have to pay anything, they give you food and clothes for free, and you can do free laundry/showers. Tbh sounds a step up from a motel with roaches. Even if not, look into community resources bc there are day centers where you can go to take a shower and do laundry for free and offer free clothes or even different vouchers.
Hey friend. Pm me and I’ll send some money for clothes
I think you should be honest with your boss. They might be able to help you
Honestly, most people will feel sympathetic and want to help in some way. Often times the hardest part is to accept help when it’s offered. Of course, continue to work hard to get yourself out of this rut, but share what you feel comfortable sharing. Be vulnerable, it sounds like your manager cares about you and your well being
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Don’t give up. You’re doing what you can! Keep pushing, life will get better. Keep taking that step forward, keep grinding. Let that fuel you. You dont have to stay there long term, use that to propel you further. Some of the most successful people hit a rock bottom at some point. With persistence, with tenacity, you will overcome. Don’t rely on motivation, but rely on doing the uncomfortable things. Continue showing up! Talk to your boss, let them know this is going on. Remember, pressure makes diamonds. Keep your head up. Praying for you!
I’m so sorry that you are going through this. I can totally understand the hesitation that you have to tell your employer what you’re going through, and personally I wouldn’t suggest doing so, because they seem like the type to retaliate against you.
Try reaching out to resources in your area. Shelters, churches, a nice person at the grocery store. Some places will have supplies to give out so that you can try to keep your job.
Don’t give up. I hope that you will find your footing. ❤️