As more people return to shared offices, even part time, it is important to recognise how living with parosmia at work can affect day to day life. Everyday workplace smells, such as hot drinks or reheated lunches, can create strong and unpleasant odours for people with parosmia. These distorted smells can trigger nausea, discomfort and stress, especially in busy or enclosed spaces.
Why workplace smells can be challenging
Parosmia is a distortion of smell that often follows viral illness or other forms of smell loss. When food or drink is hot, the odour becomes stronger, which makes shared kitchens particularly difficult for people managing parosmia at work. This can affect concentration, wellbeing and confidence, which in turn can have an impact on mental health.
1. Coffee is a major trigger
Coffee is one of the most commonly reported triggers for people living with parosmia at work. The smell can become sharp or unpleasant, even from a distance. Hot coffee is often harder to tolerate than cold brews. Helpful adjustments include creating coffee free areas for breaks, seating people away from kitchen spaces, and encouraging colleagues to be mindful of strong smells in shared areas.
2. Heating food can be overwhelming
Microwaves, kettles and toasters release intense odours that can feel unbearable for people with parosmia. Even foods that seem harmless, such as popcorn, can become overwhelming once heated. Where possible, seat employees away from shared kitchens, place microwaves in enclosed rooms, and encourage colleagues to avoid heating especially strong smelling meals. These changes can significantly reduce symptoms for people experiencing parosmia at work.
3. Keep communication open
Smell disorders are invisible, so colleagues and managers may not realise how significant the impact can be. A conversation can help people understand why certain adjustments are needed, and you may find it helpful to share our article Understanding and Managing Parosmia to give a clear sense of what the condition feels like.
4. Some jobs rely on smell
Many roles depend on smell for safety or quality control. These include plumbing, caring roles, emergency services, food preparation, hospitality and specialist industries. If your job relies on smell, it is important to raise any safety concerns with your employer so that appropriate adjustments can be made.
5. Support and smell training
Not everyone seeks help straight away and some people struggle to describe what they are experiencing. Smell training can support recovery for some people and is a low risk, low cost activity. Research can also help explain why certain workplace smells feel so intense. A team at the University of Reading explored how compounds released when foods and drinks are heated can trigger distortions in people with smell disorders, which mirrors the experiences of many people with parosmia at work.
Key Takeaway
Parosmia at work can be challenging, especially in shared spaces with strong odours. Simple changes, such as enclosed microwaves, flexible seating and coffee free areas, can make a real difference. Open conversations and good information help people feel understood and supported.
