Work Friend advises direct talk over co-worker's public tooth brushing
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 2
Work Friend advises direct talk over co-worker's public tooth brushing
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 2
In a New York Times workplace advice column, a small-library employee said a colleague with braces brushes and flosses at the break-room sink despite four restrooms nearby.
The columnist said the habit is not meaningfully unhygienic, especially if the sink is cleaned, but argued public brushing can still feel unprofessional and distracting.
Rather than complain to management, the reader was urged to make a polite, direct request, framing the issue as personal discomfort rather than accusing the co-worker of being inherently gross.
Could redesigning office spaces with more private areas prevent etiquette conflicts like the library's break room hygiene debate?
How can workplaces foster psychological safety so employees feel comfortable addressing uncomfortable habits without fear of backlash?
When personal routines clash with workplace norms, who should adapt—the individual with special needs or the collective comfort of the team?