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Original poster

This is ridiculous

105 replies

PurpleO · 14/07/2023 20:22

I'm currently on my period and I fucking hate it because of everyone and everything else.

I got up this morning and hmgot ready. It is now 8.15pm at night and I am still wearing the same sanitary pad that I put on this morning. I never once got a chance to change it. But this is always happening. Every single monthly period that I get. I am just not allowed 5 minutes to myself in the middle of the day. It's written in my contract and it's written down that I am allowed breaks and but the manager is a bully. I can go into work in the morning and I would often be required to work late without any notice and it might be 9 or 10 at night by the time I am home and I get a chance to chance the pad. Thats just insane.

I wasn't working today but I was caught for babysitting and then the parents couldn't be bothered coming home when they said they will be home. Then the same thing all day. Just crying out to get 5 minutes to myself. Then I made it home and I was dumped straight into the childcare at home and everything else. I finally found time at 8.15 and there was someone in the one and only bathroom. And at that stage I had to bully to get into to bathroom.

If I was a man I woupd be allowed a break but no, that's not allowed because I'm only just a woman. It feels as if I need to bully people for something basic as toileting and a change of sanitary pad.

Tampons don't fit me any more and I tried so hard with a cup but it just wouldn't work for me.

OP posts:
NeedleFeltedFox · 15/07/2023 11:13

What job do you do that you can’t use the toilet all day? What happens if you need a poo?

Karrpt · 15/07/2023 11:14

Why didn't you go to the loo whilst babysitting?

IncognitoMam · 15/07/2023 11:17

You can get different sizes of menstrual cup.

IncognitoMam · 15/07/2023 11:18

You maybe need to wear something with a big enough pocket. Or keep supplies in a bag in the toilet?

Schoolchoicesucks · 15/07/2023 11:18

OK so you do get to go to the toilet, just that you don't have time to collect your bag and don't have pockets.

I would have leaked if not able to change sanpro. You can either 1) put some pads in the bathroom before you start work so that you can change them when you have a break or 2) find a way to carry some - a body bag or money pouch or something that could be worn under your uniform could work.

None of this solves the issue of you boss not allowing you proper breaks or you having to work extra long hours with no notice. When do you eat? Can you get another job?

BadNomad · 15/07/2023 11:19

Everyone works 12 hours without a lunch break? I really doubt you have no option but to bleed through your pants. Why don't you put a bag with pads in it in the toilet when you arrive in the morning.

Or club together with others to keep a basket of supplies in there.

(Tell Ginny no!)

ButterCrackers · 15/07/2023 11:19

Its lucky that you have a light flow because if it was heavy you’d have to change your pad. I’m now on the pill but previously I had such heavy periods that I’d last an hour or so with a super plus tampon and nighttime pad. If it was just a pad I’d have flooding. Ask for your breaks at work. Say it’s your period and you need to change your pad.

salmonlla · 15/07/2023 11:19

Why can you not say no when asked to stay later? Or at least say yes but I need to get something from my bag/make a phone call first? What type of work do you do OP?

fancreek · 15/07/2023 11:24

What do you do that you can't keep a pad somewhere closer to the loos? Eg nurses I know keep them at the ward desk.

Otherwise, have you tried period underwear?

Toddlerteaplease · 15/07/2023 11:26

You obviously aren't drinking enough if you can go all
Day without a pee!

BillyNoM8s · 15/07/2023 11:30

I would just go to get my stuff and take longer.

Where do you work? Surely there's a drawer, cupboard, desk somewhere that you could stash some supplies? If not, I'd maybe get a really flat money belt type thing to wear under my clothes and keep one or two pads in?

If the toilets are staff only can you keep some supplies in there? Lots of people I work with do that.

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:38

Some people can't envisage how this is possible. It is possible. I worked in a city centre private hire taxi office alone on night shift. In this tiny building I had 6 telephone lines in with a headset, a radio, an constant eye out for the public walking in 24/7 in all kinds of states to ask for a cab, a bank of 10 computer screens in front of your face to aid in operating all the cabs on shift. I had to wear three pads one on top of another and wait for a sober, kindly looking person who could physically handle themselves while I rushed to the loo to remove the soiled pad and wash my hands. Often no such person came in. Another one is kitchen shift 6pm-2pm. Often, NO, you won't be able to get out for the loo. You are running grills and lines and constantly cooking orders all night. Not everyone works in an cosy office with layers of "line managers" above them.

NeedleFeltedFox · 15/07/2023 11:44

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:38

Some people can't envisage how this is possible. It is possible. I worked in a city centre private hire taxi office alone on night shift. In this tiny building I had 6 telephone lines in with a headset, a radio, an constant eye out for the public walking in 24/7 in all kinds of states to ask for a cab, a bank of 10 computer screens in front of your face to aid in operating all the cabs on shift. I had to wear three pads one on top of another and wait for a sober, kindly looking person who could physically handle themselves while I rushed to the loo to remove the soiled pad and wash my hands. Often no such person came in. Another one is kitchen shift 6pm-2pm. Often, NO, you won't be able to get out for the loo. You are running grills and lines and constantly cooking orders all night. Not everyone works in an cosy office with layers of "line managers" above them.

The phone lines can go unanswered while you go for a quick wee. If someone needs a cab they’ll ring back in a few minutes. I do feel like people invent problems for themselves quite a lot of the time - you’re not performing open heart surgery - you can nip to the loo

EarringsandLipstick · 15/07/2023 11:48

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:38

Some people can't envisage how this is possible. It is possible. I worked in a city centre private hire taxi office alone on night shift. In this tiny building I had 6 telephone lines in with a headset, a radio, an constant eye out for the public walking in 24/7 in all kinds of states to ask for a cab, a bank of 10 computer screens in front of your face to aid in operating all the cabs on shift. I had to wear three pads one on top of another and wait for a sober, kindly looking person who could physically handle themselves while I rushed to the loo to remove the soiled pad and wash my hands. Often no such person came in. Another one is kitchen shift 6pm-2pm. Often, NO, you won't be able to get out for the loo. You are running grills and lines and constantly cooking orders all night. Not everyone works in an cosy office with layers of "line managers" above them.

I can imagine the scenarios you describe - tho I'd hate to do either role.

I cannot imagine simply not undertaking an essential biological function, regardless.

You stand up & go.

You may be referring to consequences - if there are you state you needed to go to the toilet & not allowing this contravenes employment law.

You may have to decide not to work in this environment (and I realise it's not an easy choice for many).

But no, there are no situations where you cannot go to the bathroom. (Actually I can think of my brother who is a doctor - when he's operating, for long hours, he cannot eat / leave to go to the bathroom. However, he knows this. The adrenaline of the situation takes him through and he manages. And it's not for the duration that OP suggests & if the surgery warrants it, he would have to make accommodations for a toilet break).

CherieBabySpliffUp · 15/07/2023 11:49

What job are you doing where you are being made to work through your lunch break? Obviously you know this is illegal! Why aren't you challenging it?

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:50

NeedleFeltedFox · 15/07/2023 11:44

The phone lines can go unanswered while you go for a quick wee. If someone needs a cab they’ll ring back in a few minutes. I do feel like people invent problems for themselves quite a lot of the time - you’re not performing open heart surgery - you can nip to the loo

Show quote history

Rubbish. The door opens on to the street 24/7, is it never locked and there are tens of thousands of pounds of computer equipment just sitting there with drunks wandering in? You have no idea.

FFSwhatisthis · 15/07/2023 11:51

@StellaJohanna

Lock the door, go to the toilet.

Karrpt · 15/07/2023 11:51

"Rubbish. The door opens on to the street 24/7, is it never locked and there are tens of thousands of pounds of computer equipment just sitting there with drunks wandering in? You have no idea."

So fucking lock it 🤷🏽‍♀️

NeedleFeltedFox · 15/07/2023 11:58

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:50

Rubbish. The door opens on to the street 24/7, is it never locked and there are tens of thousands of pounds of computer equipment just sitting there with drunks wandering in? You have no idea.

Show quote history

Rubbish. Lock the door, stick a sign on the door and use the toilet.

StellaJohanna · 15/07/2023 11:59

EarringsandLipstick · 15/07/2023 11:48

I can imagine the scenarios you describe - tho I'd hate to do either role.

I cannot imagine simply not undertaking an essential biological function, regardless.

You stand up & go.

You may be referring to consequences - if there are you state you needed to go to the toilet & not allowing this contravenes employment law.

You may have to decide not to work in this environment (and I realise it's not an easy choice for many).

But no, there are no situations where you cannot go to the bathroom. (Actually I can think of my brother who is a doctor - when he's operating, for long hours, he cannot eat / leave to go to the bathroom. However, he knows this. The adrenaline of the situation takes him through and he manages. And it's not for the duration that OP suggests & if the surgery warrants it, he would have to make accommodations for a toilet break).

Show quote history

I have an education. I worked there because it was big money as a lone operator, because it's very risky as there was no door security employed and anyone could walk in straight into the room with the equipment. It's mostly men who do this job because they can wee against a wall outside and don't have periods. Sadly, I never thought about periods when I took the job. I now know why a lot of jobs like this are done by men. Same in kitchens.

liveforsummer · 15/07/2023 12:04

What sound someone do if they needed medication? Can't you bring a small zip purse with some towels and keep in on your desk or on a shelf somewhere?

lljkk · 15/07/2023 12:07

If I was a man I woupd be allowed a break

HIDING for ridiculous sexist statement

Lemevoir · 15/07/2023 12:22

I'm allowed a loo break here and there but my bag is located away from the toilets and there's no time apparantly to allow me to go and get my period supplies in my bag.

OK, so this accounts for you not being able to change your sanitary towel at work, but not when you're babysitting. What's the reason for you not being able to use the toilet/change sanitary towel while babysitting?

EarringsandLipstick · 15/07/2023 12:32

@StellaJohanna

I didn't say you hadn't an education.

There is still no reason you couldn't stand up, and go to the toilet.

What could they do?

Slothlikemum · 15/07/2023 12:34

You can't get 'caught' for babysitting. You have to agree to do it. So don't if you need time to yourself or a break. And refuse to believe you can't go to the loo while looking after kids.