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Original poster

Pregnant and desperate for a wee Out of order staff?

40 replies

beksyt · 29/08/2018 14:17

I am 28 weeks pregnant. I was doing some shopping in Iceland and was suddenly busting for a wee. I asked the lady on the checkout if there was a toilet I could use, pointed to the bump. She said no only a staff toilet and no she wasn't going to ask her supervisor and told me to go elsewhere. Flabbergasted

OP posts:
NothingOnTellyAgain · 29/08/2018 16:19

Not out of order

But

The situation with public toilets vanishing from all over the place does impact on women more than men (as a group)

Which is definitely a feminist topic.

Did you find somewhere else to go? Some places are a nightmare to find a likely place when you get caught short.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 29/08/2018 16:17

Likely to be in breach of their insurance to let customers into the "back office", plus it's a security risk.

MrsBlaidd · 29/08/2018 16:15

Staff member was not out of order. Iceland keep staff levels low to keep prices low, that means a pretty busy member of staff would have to escort you through areas of the shop not risk assessed for pregnant members of the public (so against the insurance), wait while you finished then escort you back to the shop floor again.

Frankly for not brilliant wages and a massive amount of possible hassle/trouble I would just direct you to the nearest cafe/pub/public toilet where you could use the facilities.

I'd be more cross at the government cutting local council funding meaning public toilets are rare than at a retail worker TBH.

Jamieandwordswo · 29/08/2018 15:53

No, she was not out of order. She’s trying to do her low paid job without getting into trouble from her supervisor.

GiraffeObsessedBaby · 29/08/2018 15:47

I have worked in some retail places where I wouldn't feel safe taking a pregnant woman to. Through tiny back corridors full of palates of storage. However I totally understand your stress as I had more than a few of those incidents when pregnant last year!

VickyEadie · 29/08/2018 15:27

My local Co-op lets 'desperate' customers (I think you have to be elderly, pregnant or disabled) use the staff loos.

Rufustheyawningreindeer · 29/08/2018 15:24

So no

Not out of order staff

Rufustheyawningreindeer · 29/08/2018 15:23

I have sneaked someone into our loo but i know im not supposed to

In our shop it may well depend on staffing

But we aren't supposed to let anyone and to be fair the very nice public toilets are less than 5 minutes away...and we would be happy to keep your purchase til you came back (dress shop)

whathaveiforgottentoday · 29/08/2018 14:53

Our local Waitrose happily let you use their staff toilets and a member of staff walks you up there and waits for you (my dd's had to use them a few times when very young).

deydododatdodontdeydo · 29/08/2018 14:44

I did some work at M&S recently and the staff toilets were beyond a couple of alarmed and swipe carded doors, up stairs, along corridors, past coats and bags, and through the canteen.
I can see why they wouldn't let the public through to be honest.

AveABanana · 29/08/2018 14:41

Not insured and most staff toilets are miles away from the shop floor - you'd be quicker walking to the nearest public toilet.

longtimelurkingtrans · 29/08/2018 14:37

Perhaps the law is different in Scotland, When I worked retail when I left school we were told pregnant women were never to be refused toilet facilities.

LadybirdsAreBirds · 29/08/2018 14:22

Messy accident on the shop floor

LadybirdsAreBirds · 29/08/2018 14:22

You could try telling them it's either that or a messy accidentify not he shop floor..

With a big cheesy grin

PristineCondition · 29/08/2018 14:20

Probably Not insured to have customers out back.

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