When stressed in work, have you ever gone into the loo, put the lid down and then sat on it?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Just curious. This seems to happen all the time in films/tv (usually female characters for some reason) and I can't imagine doing this irl. Our work toilets aren't terrible, but they're not particularly nice, and I wouldn't feel better after a good long stint sitting there (especially if some poor soul was trying to have a stealth poo in the next cubicle - another thing that never happens on TV).

Clearly someone has decided that this is what career women do when in crisis. Is there any truth to it? Am I handling workplace stress all wrong?

Yes I have. Our toilets are quite nice. I go in before my shift on my low days to give myself a pep talk.

Yes, daily. Also an introvert and people get too much! Haven't cried for about 18 years though. Think I just care less about work but still nice to have some peace.

Definitely, as have the majority of nurses I've worked with!

Yes.

Absolutely

When there's been an issue that I need to really use my brain for, I go to the toilets (there's only one), actually have a wee, and think about the problem there. It's much easier than when there's people looking at me waiting for an answer!
But I don't go because I'm stressed, I go because it's private.

I didnt when I worked in an office but that's because there wasnt many toilets on our floor so it felt like an imposition to others. I did have a few instances of standing in the coatroom space though.

I work at home now so just have a little lay in bed now instead!

Yep. Cried and napped. Not recently, but all through my 20s in a corporate job in London I disliked immensely.

No but my best friend frequently texts me while hiding in the toilet at work. Sometimes while crying. She has an insanely stressful job and sometimes just needs 3 minutes peace and the toilet is the only place she can get it (although people have in the past sometimes followed her in to try and talk to her)

I had a very close relationship with one of the loos at work. It was a nice big disabled loo (all of our loos were disabled ones, there were shedloads of them and I worked in a quiet section of the building!). I used to cry, have very quick naps when pregnant and exhausted, and hide when it was all too much. I still remember every bump in the walls and floor of that place and I left 6 years ago.

I am reminded of this from 25 things bar tenders will recognise...... I certainly do!

Yes

In a job I really needed to leave, yes!

Jealous of the big cupboards.

Lol I read this and thought no. In my main office there's only one women's toilet anyway so I wouldn't be popular

I have done this but for different reasons. If I finish a task and it's not immediately obvious what I should move onto, I hide for five so that I don't have annoy anyone by asking (if Ive already asked loads).

I know its batshit and its got better at my most recent job where I have more confidence - trait of my anxiety.

Lots of times with a raging hangover. Only once to cry my eyes out but that time was not work related.

Work from home now but used to when I worked in a call centre

Years ago I worked in a travel agent and there was a store room on the top floor that was great to escape to (7 storey building so people very rarely came up!)

I've recently started a new job so have been doing this daily, not crying but just really really a break from all the new people and smiling and explaining which company I came from and trying to work out who's who. Am knackered and just need 5 mins every now and again to disengage. I'm a late (self) diagnosed introvert though so really need time away from people looking at me/talking to me etc to recharge.

Yep and have also had a cry in there.

Have also gone just to wash my hands to take a breather when needed.

I have hidden and cried twice, I didn't sit down though. One time I didn't lock the door and someone found me, I just couldn't stop crying so they took me to the staff room.

My skin flint employer. Only the toilets are cleaned.

Yes. I have even occasionally sat on it resting my forehead on my arms on the sink (they were complete cubicals with a sink etc them) and had 5 min micronaps when I thought I was going to fall asleep in my open an office of 100 plus people ( in ds's baby days when he didn't sleep)

I do nowadays sometimes go there for a break of a few minutes though not often

We used to have person / people poop on the lids.