Should I grass.....?

[PaulSecteur]

Thing is, the person th\at has the car ofter you might report it, then its your problem.

Would be best to mention it so you dont get lumbered with it at a later date.

 

[Firestorm]

When you hand the keys back to whoever is responsible for holding said keys, just comment, F*** me that car was a shitheap, do me a favour and make sure its cleaned before the next unfortunate sod has to endure it, damn good job I didn't have any clients in it this time"

That way you are making them aware of your concerns withoutactually saying who you think is responsible.

if they want to take it up with her then they can

 

[snapper_37]

Perhaps I'm being dense, but why not go to her and simply ask her politely not to smoke in the car, as others have to use it. Don't get involved in a discussion in which she denies it, just leave it at that.

The direct approach often works.

I understand why you'd feel this would be the best approach but believe me 'direct approach' just doesn't work with this person.

I have just politely, and making a bit of a joke out of it, asked Ms X not to smoke (I didn't mention the nasty perfume) in the car. I said - 'Bloodyhell XXX, your stress levels must be through the roof with the ciggies you're smoking in the car. Do you mind not though because it's giving me a rush'.

Her reaction? Shrug of the shoulders, shaking of the head and a 'Oh for ****s sake' before stropping off.

That's that sorted then.

I happen to know that the PA is going out to grab some lunch for the MD and some visitors soon.

She's going to use the pool car.

 

[cd365]

Her reaction? Shrug of the shoulders, shaking of the head and a 'Oh for ****s sake' before stropping off.

With that as a reaction I would report her officially.

 

[fossyant]

Deffo mention to the PA if she's using it - you did the best you could. It is against the law to smoke in company cars.

That reminds me of a car one of my colleagues got issued with. The guy before had only had it about 6 months, but when it was passed over (having been valeted) the guy delivering said they had had a mare with the car, the bloke had been using it to transport 'game' at the weekends, and the thing was covered in feathers. There were still one or two in the car, but the smell of dead animals masked with strong air freshener was unbearable............ we had to get rid of the car.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Just give me your MD's email address, and I will send them a letter.

 

[Silver Fox]

With that as a reaction I would report her officially.

I agree. If the softly softly approach hasn't worked and you want something done about it, you have no option to escalate the matter.

Just be mindful that with people like the woman you've described, there's a stong possibility that she'll bear grudges against whoever has reported her.

 

[Archie_tect]

Who's responsible for the car in the office? ...company car has to have regular routine maintenance done every week/ month [the MD wouldn't be involved with a minor internal problem like this being taken out of proportion until/ unless it gets to the point where he/she needs to be]. Maybe despite the legislation being in place for a long time now, the company isn't aware of it's obligations... remind them but don't set yourself up as the troublemaker- it's not an unsurmountable problem is it?
I'd just lodge a concern about the state of the car to them and wait a few days then repeat your concern further up the chain- but be straight about it, not underhand- don't create an 'issue'.

 

[krushavik]

If the car spelt that bad I can just imagine what she and her dwelling must smell like. Dirty Bitch.

 

[vernon]

If the car spelt that bad I can just imagine what she and her dwelling must smell like. Dirty Bitch.

It's not for you to judge upon the fitness of habitation of her home. You are also making a sweeping assumption that she smokes at home.

Some folk are hypersensitive to the smell of tobacco smoke - some find the smell alluring. I'm an ex-smoker and miss the smell of beer and fags in pubs but ironically hate the smell of cigs when I have to run the gauntlet of smokers outside pubs when I am making my way in or out - it's no longer possible to step outside a pub for a breath of fresh air - the irony.

Back to the OP's problem. Reporting the smoker is the on only action left. A direct approach was rebuffed which opens the door to formally complaining.

 

[postman]

Have your work suit dry cleaned .To get rid of the offensive smell and submit the bill to your MD .Then let them question why.And say the company car stinks .So no grassing .

 

[Noodley]

Why don't you set fire to the car? You can then say it must have been a dropped ciggie....

 

[hambones]

It's NOT against the law to smoke in a company car - unless it is a shared vehicle, such as in this case.

 

[PBancroft]

At my work when we take out a pool car we also take a signoff sheet which we return at the same time as the keys. This gives the person taking the car out an opportunity to comment on any maintenance required, any damage etc. It covers the back of the person taking the car out (they can indicate that any damage was there prior to them) and highlights where vehicles are being misused. It's also handy for indicating when general work needs to be done - such giving it a quick clean, or changing washer fluid for example. If a person leaves a car in a state TPTB have a quiet word to ask them not to do it again - and if they keep doing it they lose access to the pool cars. Simples.

Maybe you could suggest your work do something similar? She won't really lose face, and the problem will get dealt with.

 

[buggi]

Yep, i'd def say something to the PA, that's the best way for anything to get back to directors, without you looking like a grass

(unless of course the PA likes the woman, then it could backfire)