Anosmia Awareness Day: Why 27 February Matters at Work

Anosmia Awareness Day, held each year on 27 February, is dedicated to raising awareness of a condition that affects far more people than most workplaces realise. Anosmia is the medical term for the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell, and it’s estimated that around 1 in 10 people experience some degree of smell loss.

Despite those numbers, anosmia remains one of the most misunderstood and overlooked conditions in working life. Because it’s invisible, it’s often dismissed. Because it’s rarely discussed, many people don’t disclose it. And because employers don’t always understand the risks, important adjustments are sometimes missed.

For job seekers and employers alike, Anosmia Awareness Day on 27 February is an opportunity to stop treating loss of smell as trivial and start recognising its real impact in the workplace.

What is anosmia?

Anosmia refers to the inability to detect certain odours, or any odours at all. It can be congenital, meaning someone is born without a sense of smell, or acquired, where smell loss occurs later in life.

Acquired anosmia is often linked to:

• Head injury or trauma to the olfactory nerve
• Nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis
• Upper respiratory infections
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and antidepressants
  

In some cases, anosmia is temporary and improves over time. In others, it’s permanent. There is currently no cure for congenital anosmia, and treatment for acquired anosmia depends entirely on the underlying cause.

The science behind anosmia is complex. It can involve damage to the olfactory receptors in the nose, the nerve pathways, or the brain’s olfactory centre itself. Some people experience complete anosmia, while others have partial, selective, or functional anosmia, where smells are detected but not recognised.

All of this matters at work, even if it’s rarely acknowledged.

Why Anosmia Awareness Day is relevant to employment

Anosmia Awareness Day exists because loss of smell affects daily functioning, safety, and wellbeing. In the workplace, that can translate into very real challenges.

People with anosmia may not be able to smell:

• Smoke or gas leaks
• Burning food or electrical faults
• Chemical fumes
• Spoiled food

This increases risk, particularly in roles involving catering, cleaning, manufacturing, laboratories, maintenance, or shared kitchen spaces. Anosmia can also affect confidence and mental health, with many people worrying about personal hygiene or feeling anxious in close working environments.

These challenges place anosmia firmly within discussions around invisible disabilities at work.

Living with anosmia as a job seeker

For job seekers, Anosmia Awareness Day on 27 February can bring mixed feelings. Many people with anosmia don’t know if their condition “counts” as a disability, or whether it’s worth mentioning at all.

Under UK equality law, anosmia may be considered a disability if it has a long-term impact on normal day-to-day activities. That means job seekers may be entitled to reasonable adjustments at work, even if their condition isn’t immediately obvious.

Common concerns include:

• Fear of being seen as difficult
• Worry that disclosure will affect hiring decisions
• Uncertainty about what adjustments are reasonable
• Feeling embarrassed explaining a condition others may joke about

Careers with Disabilities supports job seekers navigating disclosing a disability to an employer, particularly when conditions are invisible or poorly understood. Anosmia is a clear example of why these conversations matter.

Anosmia and workplace safety

One of the most important messages behind Anosmia Awareness Day is safety.

Many workplaces still rely on smell as an informal warning system. “You’ll smell it if there’s a problem” is not a safe assumption when approximately one in ten people have some degree of smell loss.

Employers should be reviewing:

• Risk assessments that assume full sensory ability
• Fire, gas, and chemical detection systems
• Training for managers on invisible disabilities
• Emergency procedures that rely on smell-based judgement

Visual alarms, clear signage, sensors, and written procedures protect everyone, not just employees with anosmia.

Reasonable adjustments for employees with anosmia

Adjustments for anosmia are often straightforward and low-cost. Anosmia Awareness Day is a good reminder that inclusion doesn’t need to be complicated.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Removing reliance on smell for safety checks
• Providing clear written guidance and labelling
• Adjusting tasks involving food safety or chemicals
• Using detection equipment rather than sensory judgement

These changes support employees with anosmia while also improving overall workplace safety and consistency.

The emotional impact of loss of smell

Anosmia affects more than safety. It can change how people experience food, social interaction, and emotional cues. Studies suggest people with anosmia may have a reduced ability to detect emotional signals linked to scent.

Some people with anosmia report developing heightened hearing or touch as compensation, while others rely heavily on taste and memory to identify foods. Many still lead fulfilling, successful working lives, but that doesn’t mean the condition is easy to live with.

Workplaces that acknowledge this show a stronger commitment to supporting employees with disabilities, not just in policy documents but in everyday culture.

Why 27 February matters

Anosmia Awareness Day on 27 February is about understanding, safety, and inclusion.

For employers, it’s a chance to review assumptions and improve systems.
For job seekers, it’s reassurance that anosmia is recognised and valid.
And for workplaces aiming to be inclusive, it’s a reminder that disability doesn’t always look the way people expect.

Loss of smell may be invisible, but its impact at work is not.

Careers with Disabilities can help

Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker, Careers with Disabilities is a platform designed to connect inclusive, disability-positive employers with disabled job seekers.

Our jobs board is regularly updated with the latest opportunities from disability-positive employers.

Check out our blog for the latest news and feel free to contact us for more information.