Nasty femine pads in trash can... how do I tell my co-worker not to do this?

She is also a very good friend of mine but I do not know how to tell her that she needs to wrap up her used pads. There are only the two of us girls here, so I know its hers and now our bathroom smells and we both share the cleaning of the bathroom but she is in sales and rarely in the office. She was here and now she left and the bathroom reeks.

How should I address this without hurting anyone?

Not only is it gross, it is a self respect issue, because for anyone else to have to pick that up, she should be beyond embarrassed. Tell her it is a sanitary or hygiene issue, which really it is. And shes should wrap it in tissue, if she expects anyone else to empty her trash.

Isn't it awful when some poor girl has never been taught the basics of hygiene? I'm sure she just doesn't know any better.

There's nothing you can do but bring it up gently, in private. I'd say something like, " (name), do you think it would be okay from now on if you could bring plastic or paper bags, and put your used pads in them, or just wrap them up really well in paper when you pitch them, because my nose is kind of sensitive and it's causing a bit of a problem." Something really kind that makes it sound like she's doing you a favor. She just needs to be told.

Type up a note on the computer and leave it in the bathroom saying, "ATTENTION LADIES: PLEASE PROPERLY DISPOSE OF FEMININE PRODUCTS APPROPRIATELY. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO WRAP ANY HYGENIC PRODUCT IN TOILET PAPER BEFORE DISPOSING IN THE TRASH CAN. THANK YOU."

If you are not allowed to leave notes in the bathroom, then pull her aside and say, "Someone has been leaving pads in the trash can unwrapped. It is really becoming bothersome. If you see who has been doing that, let me know." She will be more careful. But YUCK YUCK YUCK YUCK!

Sometimes you just need to tell someone the truth. Say, friends name, are you currently using pads? Would you please wrap them up when you dispose of them. Because you may not know this, but when menstrual blood is exposed to air it starts to chemically break down and it produces an awful smell. Thats it. If she gets offended, say I can understand you're upset because it seems rude- But wouldnt you rather it be me than your live in boyfriend or husband. 'Better that you know now that to suffer even greater humiliation.

I had the same problem with one of my co-workers but since im a very straight forward i just told her to wrap it up and be more lady like about it,........ that is very sick. =(

Good luck!

casually say ' Oh i hate it when....' and hopefully she'll get the hint.

what are feminine pads?