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AIBU?

To want to be able to go to the toilet occasionally whilst at work?

94 replies

CattyBrown · 05/02/2013 07:58

I work afternoons and during the morning before I start work and also during my 10 minute break I tend to drink quite a bit of water, it's something that I have always done.

My supervisor however does not like anyone going to the toilet during shift time (IF I do go, I go when it is very quite and there is no work whatsoever to do). She always makes sly digs about how I should go on my break etc.

As long am I am not abusing the situation and going 6-7 times a shift, am I right in thinking that I should be allowed to go the toilet without being questioned and made to feel like a naughty schoolgirl?

OP posts:

Report

MrsKoala · 05/02/2013 14:04

Once I was in a meeting and had to go to the loo, so said 'I'm just nipping to the loo' I was met with stern faces, I stood up and picked up my bag and a male colleague said accusingly 'why are you taking your bag' and I said 'because I need to change my tampon' and everyone gasped, my boss was not impressed. But FFS, seriously? Biology 101. 30 year old women menstruate.

LineRunner · 05/02/2013 14:13

I just walk out of meetings now, and no-one ever says a thing. In fact they all look pointedly away from me and the door.

I do occasionally wonder if they are expecting me to come back into a meeting with blood all over my hands and a wild stare screaming 'I am the goddess.'

CheeseandPickledOnion · 05/02/2013 14:21

I think I've just fallen in love with Linerunner.

CalamityKate · 05/02/2013 14:24

I used to work in a factory and we had breaks every couple of hours and we still went to the loo when we needed to! In fact even if I didn't need a wee I'd go anyway and have a little nap. Da management used to grumble from time to time, especially if my 5 minute nap turned into a proper 15 minute sleep necessitating someone coming to bang on the door to wake me up, but there wasn't much they could do really.

IrnBruChew · 05/02/2013 14:26

Hahaha linerunner!

When I worked in a call centre I had to log every toilet break, in an 8 hour shift you weren't expected to go over 20 mins all in. Not that bad I suppose.

deleted203 · 05/02/2013 14:27

This is completely ridiculous! Of course you need to go to the loo. FWIW I need to go fairly frequently (middle aged bladder, had 5 DCs ) and it can be tricky at times as a teacher. Lessons are an hour long and I just have to go in between (and in a double lesson I'm often crossing my legs after too much coffee in the staffroom). Kids aren't supposed to go in lessons, but if it is a teenage girl asking I generally say quietly, 'Are you desperate?' because obviously if you are 15 and your period's just started unexpectedly I'm not going to force you to sit there for another 45 mins or so.

cantspel · 05/02/2013 14:28

We should all be able to go to the loo when needed but 6 to 7 loo breaks in a afternoon is a bit excessive unless you have a medical condition.

ShakeWellBeforeOpening · 05/02/2013 14:32

I bet they dont question how many cigarette breaks people get ! That used to really piss me off at work when people kept disappearing for a fag.

cantspel · 05/02/2013 14:35

I wish i could find one of these firms that allow you untold fag breaks as everywhere i have ever worked hasn't allowed any.

If you want a fag you have it on your break.

CalamityKate · 05/02/2013 14:47

When I first started at the aforementioned factory you could smoke whenever you liked; there were big ashtrays full of sand all over the place.

Then that was banned and you had to smoke on breaks.

CalamityKate · 05/02/2013 14:49

...just as well really otherwise what with fag breaks, weeks and naps I'd never have got any actual work done

CalamityKate · 05/02/2013 14:49

Wees not weeks.

Pourquoimoi · 05/02/2013 15:09

I also know someone who used to go for a 30min nap most days in the toilet (not me). That is clearly taking the mick but normal toilet breaks should always be allowed.

As for linerunner - well done you and the poster who did the same when accused about taking her handbag. I assume that was a man without a wife?!

Pourquoimoi · 05/02/2013 15:10

OP - on a pragmatic note, could you down your water intake a little at you're breaks? You said you drank quite a lot so don't know if it would cause you discomfort not to drink it?

SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter · 05/02/2013 15:37

"I do occasionally wonder if they are expecting me to come back into a meeting with blood all over my hands and a wild stare screaming 'I am the goddess.' "

You should do that one day, just to see the look on their faces. And then, of course, report back to MN

Oh, and I agree with quoteunquote. Name these companies so we know who not to give our money to, and join a union.

marjproops · 05/02/2013 17:29

When I worked in an office I needed the loo a lot.

What really peeved me was that the smokers could have a 5 min 'smoke break' yet we non-smokers were expected to stay working...and some people smoked a lOT.

as for the loo...geez, its like at school, OP you should raise your hand, jumping up and down in your seat crying ''please Miss, can I go to the toilet'' !

failing that, pee in her seat!!!

IrnBruChew · 05/02/2013 17:40

We are not allowed smoke breaks. The boss smokes like a chimney though and goes for a fag every 30 mins. No fair.

sicutlilium · 05/02/2013 17:46

Seconds the applause!

LineRunner · 05/02/2013 18:03

As for linerunner - well done you and the poster who did the same when accused about taking her handbag. I assume that was a man without a wife?!

Why yes, how on earth did you guess?

LineRunner · 05/02/2013 18:06

Another useful retort to a toilet-mutterer is, 'I'll just sit here and bleed on my seat, shall I?'

MortifiedAdams · 05/02/2013 22:09

Is it wrong that I am hoping to be questioned on leaving a meeting to go to the loo just so I can use LineRunners fantastic retort?

alemci · 05/02/2013 22:20

I work in a school and often get stuck in a classroom. i need to go after an hour especially if you drink tea. I can't wait until break or lunch. The kids are allowed to go if they need to as well which I think is good. When it is cold you go more and after having kids.

YANBU

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FlouncingMintyy · 05/02/2013 22:25

Why can't people understand the op? It seems perfectly clear to me.

LineRunner · 05/02/2013 22:27

It won't happen, now, Mortified, you'll have that 'Challenge Me' glint in your eye and no-one will dare.

EarlyMorningBaconDemon · 05/02/2013 23:02

I had a moment like that in my previous job when my period started very unexpectedly (stupid implant). We had to log on to a specific setting whenever we needed the loo or a fag break, and if you took more than 20 minutes in an 8-hour shift they questioned you.

At one point I logged in to the section for "personal time" and the team leader accosted me at my desk, asking me why I was going and that I'd already had my 20 minutes of allotted time due to a urinary infection.

My retort was "if you don't let me leave I'm going to stand here and bleed all over this fucking carpet, which given the colour would probably improve it a little. Now can you please get the fuck out of my way?"

He was ashen. I almost died with laughter afterwards.

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