I work with a substitute teacher who has terrible breath

A reader writes: I work at a K-12 school in a teacher-leader role. This means I do not have my own classes nor do I have management powers over any staff. Our school hires a substitute teacher to come to the building every day on the chance that one teacher is going to be unexpectedly […] The post I work with a substitute teacher who has terrible breath appeared first on Ask a Manager.

May 19, 2025 - 16:10

I work with a substitute teacher who has terrible breath

A reader writes:

I work at a K-12 school in a teacher-leader role. This means I do not have my own classes nor do I have management powers over any staff. Our school hires a substitute teacher to come to the building every day on the chance that one teacher is going to be unexpectedly absent. Our staff attendance has become much worse over the last five years, so this is a worthwhile bet on the part of the school. Her job is tough in that she substitutes for classes with last-minute notice, and some days — though not often — she sits around all day with nothing to do because all teachers were present that day. We also hire additional subs on a day-to-day basis when we know more than one teacher will be absent that day. Our principal likes the flexibility and consistency of having one sub who we know will show up every day and who gets to know the kids. As a teacher leader, I often have to provide in-person support for this sub.
Here’s the thing. Her breath stinks. I mean it really stinks. We have single-occupancy staff bathrooms. You can tell if she was the previous person to use the bathroom because her breath lingers. You can smell her coming from 100 feet away. She can tell from my facial expressions that I don’t like talking to her, but I think she thinks I just don’t like her. But that’s not it: it’s her breath. I can’t keep a poker face around her but have the sense not to directly say anything as I do not have any rapport with her nor any standing to say anything to her about it. I’ve tried wearing a mask when I know I will have to be around her, but this just results in kids asking if I am sick and I have to make up a story. What can I do?

Oh no. It would be such a kindness if someone would talk to her about it, but I can see why no one (presumably) has; that’s an awkward conversation to have. But especially in a field like teaching, where you have to talk to lots of people and often will be in close proximity to them, and you’re also working with an age group that will have no problems talking unkindly about it … agggh, someone really should say something. (Of course, it’s possible she’s aware and it’s a medical issue she can’t do anything about, but it’s also possible she has no idea and could do something about it if she knew.)

Any chance you’re up for it? I’d say it this way: “Phyllis, can I bring up something uncomfortable? I feel awkward mentioning this, but I’d want someone to tell me. Your breath often has a strong odor. That can be a medical or dental issue, so I wanted to mention it in case it turns out to be something important for you to know about.” (And for the record, I would cringe my way through saying this — but awkwardness isn’t the worst thing in the world.)

If your immediate response is “agggh, no, that’s not my job,” then is there anyone whose job it more naturally would be, and can you discreetly suggest to that person that they do it? You’re probably not the only one avoiding conversations with this coworker, and at some point she’s going to overhear kids talking about it. (Which I guess could be its own way of solving the problem, but not an ideal one.)

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