Unisex toilets in new office - dread going into work

You need to keep complaining. It's unacceptable that you are being exposed to sexual harassment in this way.

Is your CEO a man?

I am not a fan of unisex toilets but these are not even correct for unisex toilets.

Maybe the easiest thing is to ask for a wall to split the room. This would be easier than moving all the sinks into the cubicles. It would also give you more cubicles. I would really emphasise that you want single sex cubicles with door gaps - they are safer, more hygienic and don’t smell as much.

Any changes to toilets should regard building regs (Document T, 2024).

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67167c02d100972c0f4c9b38/ADT_2024.pdf

That’s hardly likely to be a risk in office toilets. I despair at the lack of common sense and hypersensitivity of people today.

So you think it is perfectly ok for employers to break the law and for men to harass and make women feel uncomfortable when they want to use the toilets?

Maybe you are a fan of angry confrontations with men in an enclosed space but I think that is an unusual attitude. Why don’t you think OP deserves to use the toilet at work without being hassled by men?

OP your employer has a legal duty which came into being in 2024 to protect you from sexual harassment. Your employer must take reasonable steps to protect you and be proactive not reactive. Ring ACAS and ask for advice. www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/steps-for-employers-to-prevent-sexual-harassment

@SocialMol the toilet's are illegal. To be legal mixed sex facilities they must be fully inclosed space with floor to ceiling doors and wall with a sink in the room.
Your company is discriminating against you and facilitating the sexual harassment of the female staff and breaking the workplace health and safety act 1992 which says separate single sex facilities must be provided except where there isn't space and fully inclosed legal unisex facilities for use by 1 person at a time (which yours aren't).
You need to have a serious word with hr as this situation is not ok or legal

@LoserWinner

'Oh, for goodness’ sake! I assume you are a grown woman? Just deal with it. Tell the oikish twerps to show a bit of respect and get on with your life. The human race somehow managed to survive when whole streets shared outdoor loos. I’m sure sharing cubicle toilets in a modern building won’t kill anyone.'

Still recovering from that lobotomy? You should go and hang out in the toilets at OPs workplace. Maybe they'll pick you! Bless.

Employers have a duty of care to make sure you're safe at work (and that includes taking reasonable steps to prevent things like sexual harassment). If you've told them you're getting harassed they need to do something to sort it, nit just tell you to get over it. They can speak to the landlords, speak to the other tenant etc as a first step

I agree. Honestly, the things I read about on MN which people can't cope with these days and which causes MH issues astounds me.

'Our company are aware of our concerns but said there’s nothing they can do'

Your company are breaking the law. They are legally obliged to provide a safe and dignified working environment. You're being sexually harassed and should raise a complaint. There is no point in discussing it further with them.

Obviously the human race can survive all sorts of challenging conditions but a) we don’t live in the 1800s, b) I think not getting raped or murdered while using the toilet at work is a pretty low bar. Why can’t OP expect to turn up at work and have lawful and suitable toilet facilities to use during her day? Without having to run the gauntlet of misogynistic men and have nasty confrontations just to use the loo?

Your comment is as nasty as it is ridiculous.

She doesn’t have to deal with it there are laws. We either ensure they are enforced or women’s rights go backwards.

Both are true.
complain to HR.report wvery shitry msn who makes a shitty comment. Every single time. Conplete the online complaint forms.

I would ask your company to clarify that they are now not dealing with sexual harrassment. Just because it is said in the toilets doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue. They should absolutely raising this with the other organisation you are co located with. Either directly or via building management.

No it’s a toilet problem and breaking the law problem. That’s why we have the law to protect women from men.

(Also you shouldn't have to travel an unreasonable distance, and a cubicle is not designated as being suitable for women unless it contains a sanitary waste bin.)

You can make a complaint online;

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

OP right at the bottom of my link there’s a bit abt your employers responsibility re toilets. It states:

“Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are required to provide “suitable and sufficient” sanitary conveniences. This includes providing separate facilities for men and women, except where each convenience is in a self-contained room with a door that can be secured from the inside. These obligations are not optional and are legally an obligation

OP it’s up to the owner of the premises to provide these facilities and not have facilities that are illegal. A cubicle is not a self contained room.

I wouldn’t want to share toilet facilities with men even if they were polite and not sexist pigs.

Your workplace is legally obliged to provide single sex toilets, or self contained toilets with a sink inside.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/health-safety.htm

If this is true, your work place has a misogyny and sexual harassment problem, not a toilet problem.

Given the comments etc it is not outside the realm of possibility that these are the kind of men who put cameras in toilets. So I think

1 - you are not prepared to go back into the office until the toilets have been swept for bugs / cameras. And this may sound over the top but the other company need to have a long hard look at their workforce culture.

2 - the toilets need to be designated single sex and it sounds like the ladies will need to be locked with a radar key or similar so these men are unable to access it

Or you go onto another floor for the toilet and see if the people in those companies are more civilised.

I would be making* an immediate complaint to the other company, as well as your companies HR and advise them it needs to be sorted pronto

its totally unacceptable

Op hope this helps it’s up to date as well