Sooner or later, most UK offices have a moment where someone’s perfume or aftershave is genuinely too strong for the space — sometimes it is a scent-sensitivity or migraine issue for a colleague, sometimes it is simply overspray. Handling it well matters more than most people think, since fragrance is genuinely personal and criticism can land harder than intended.
If You Are Raising the Issue with a Colleague
A private, kind, specific conversation works far better than a group complaint or a passive-aggressive note. Framing it around the shared space (“the room gets quite strong by midday”) rather than the person’s taste avoids it reading as a personal criticism.
If HR or a Line Manager Needs to Get Involved
For genuine health concerns (migraines, asthma, fragrance sensitivity), raising it through HR as a workplace wellbeing matter, rather than colleague-to-colleague, is often the fairer route for both people involved — it depoliticises what can otherwise feel like a personal dispute.
If You Are the Person Being Asked to Tone It Down
It is genuinely common for someone to lose the ability to judge their own application over time (a phenomenon sometimes called nose blindness), so a polite flag is rarely personal — see our office-appropriate scents guide for how to dial back application without giving up a favourite fragrance entirely.
Some Genuinely Fair Ground Rules
Lighter application in enclosed meeting rooms, avoiding topping up mid-day at your desk, and choosing lower-projection concentrations for the office are all reasonable, low-effort adjustments that resolve most genuine complaints.
FAQ
How do I tell a colleague their perfume is too strong without being rude?
A private, specific, kind conversation framed around the shared space rather than their personal taste generally lands better than a group or written complaint.
Can HR get involved in a workplace fragrance complaint?
Yes, particularly where a genuine health concern like migraines or fragrance sensitivity is involved — this is a reasonable route for workplace wellbeing matters.
Why can I not tell my own perfume is too strong?
It is common to lose sensitivity to a scent you wear regularly, a phenomenon often called nose blindness or olfactory fatigue.
Looking for a genuinely subtle everyday option? See our office-appropriate picks.