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

[CattyBrown]

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?

[Trifleorbust]

It is bad for your health to delay going to the toilet for more than a few minutes. People also have differently sized bladders and differently functioning kidneys. Go to the toilet when you like. Completely reasonable.

[brasty]

Yes you have to provide access to toilets. But you do not have to allow employees legally to go to the toilet when they want to. The factory I worked in, their had been publicity locally about their policy of not letting people go to the toilet except in breaks. They got a lot of bad publicity, but legally what they were doing is fine.
There needs to be legislation around this.

Although you should be able to wait more than a few minutes before going to the toilet. If you really can't, I would advise asking for a referral to the continence clinic.

[brasty]

Also on threads like this I am reminded how many MNers work in decent jobs and have no or little knowledge of the poor working conditions many on minimum wage have to endure.

[TroysMammy]

I don't drink enough liquid in a day which is as a result of having the look when you went to the toilet in my previous job. It's a hard habit to break.

[CraftyPenguin]

I know exactly what insurance company you're talking about dizzy. Humiliating.

[HelenaDove]

Its because of not drinking enough liquid during the day while i was at high school because they were funny about when you went to the toilet is why i have an overactive bladder now.

[JellyBelli]

Your supervisor is being completely out of order. The demand that you dont go to the toilet discriminates against people with certain illnessess which are none of her business. Making snarky comments about it is bullying.
In any case with many repetitive tasks you are supposed to regularly stop and do something else to prevent RSI and eye strain.

Contact HR and if they dont help contact ACAS.

[SandyY2K]

Your supervisor is out of order. I'd be very ticked off if that was said to me.

Do you work in a call centre type of environment? With targets or something. I do get managers coming to me (HR) with silly complaints and I just tell them, that kind of complaint will cause low morale and ne counterproductive.

[SalemSaberhagen]

Zombie thread Sandy, I can't see you getting an answer.

[brambly]

When I worked in a call centre for a few years in my early 20s, management went through a phase of trying to "cut down" on toilet breaks. When they zeroed in on me (and I went to the loo less than almost everyone else - iron bladder - the manager in question just disliked me intensely) I chose to threaten them. I will contact my union forthwith / you've absolutely no legal right to do this / what would your clients think if I were to mention this to my good pal the Argus journalist, etc.

A few others took a similar line. One chap shouted to the offending manager that he "had the shits, would you like to come in and help me wipe my backside?".

Toilet breaks were never mentioned again.

[brasty]

I think it is places where you can't leave your work station where there is a real issue. Lone retail worker in shop, worker in a production line, teacher, surgeon. Any other kind of job you can just get up and go.

[AlpacaLypse]

Oh dear, this thread is well and truly unzombified now! Explains why I kept seeing names I hadn't spotted for ages, and was thinking 'Oh great, I'm glad xyz and abc are still around'

[gandalf456]

You can get someone to cover, brasty, in most situations. Most people would be sensible and not overdo it and it's only for a couple of minutes.

Or the offenders could have a bucket at their workstation? Perhaps they could suggest this at the next meeting.

[suchafuss]

Reading this thread makes me thankful that i have a disability that can make me need to go more frequently. That way if they tried to stop me going it would be diisability discrimination!

[mumtomaxwell]

I'm a teacher and am only allowed to use the loo or have a drink during break time or lunch time. The students can drink/go to the loo whenever they like!!

[e1y1]

I don't get this.

I worked in a large telecommunications call centre and all your breaks were scheduled in by the company to reflect demand, so you never chose what time your break was.

Also during online (on calls) they basically wanted you chained to the desk, however, they still allowed you use of "personal break" to use the toilet as and when needed - this was still paid time and was separate to your scheduled breaks. As long as you didn't take the piss (sorry) they were fine..

Also vending machine drinks were free, so that probably made us all need the toilet more

[brasty]

Totally different scenario though. In some jobs you just can't go to the toilet whenever you want. Teacher without a TA, surgeon doing an operation, a bus driver. None of them can simply walk away from their job and go to a toilet.

[gandalf456]

Same as when at home (in the middle of something that can't be left - e.g. frying an egg) or walking around town sometimes when no toilet is available. But employers need to be reasonable about it

[brasty]

Of course employers need to be reasonable about it, but not all are. We need legislation. All employers have to do at the moment is allow access to toilets during legally mandated breaks, unless an employee is pregnant or disabled when they should be allowed frequent access.