Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

albu no loo in work

13 replies

amberley1960 · 02/03/2015 08:06

I work in a small office where there has been no working loo for the last week! It is a saniflo and a new part is needed my boss (tight arse) has ordered it from eBay! Have managed the last week by using a loo in an empty flat across the road new tenants moving in today so won't be an option! I know that he will ask the people in the next door office if we can use theirs but it would always have been a bit embarrassing I wee a lot. This morning I have my period albu to go to work this morning and say I'm going home until the loo is sorted?

OP posts:
FenellaFellorick · 02/03/2015 08:09

Isn't it the law that a workplace should have a toilet?

Would it be worth finding out what employment law has to say on it and telling him to sort it out?

LIZS · 02/03/2015 08:09

Ring HSE/Environmental Health but we were told there had to be a functioning toilet available to be able to work.

Joolsy · 02/03/2015 08:11

Here are the guidelines:
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg293.pdf
So if he's 'provided' a toilet then I guess he's not breaking the law. If there's more than 5 of you though there needs to be more than 1.

Having said that, in your situation I'd probably refuse to come in.

whattodoowiththeleftoverturkey · 02/03/2015 08:12

That sounds awful.I think it's reasonable to tell him that you have your period and don't feel comfortable not having easy access to a toilet. Is it possible to work from home?

Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 02/03/2015 08:35

Yes I wouldn't go in until it's sorted.

If he had a period you can bet there'd be a loo.

DeliciousMonster · 02/03/2015 08:41

I'd say he has a choice, either I call Environmental Health or I work from home until the have a working toilet.

DeliciousMonster · 02/03/2015 08:42

I wouldn't pull the period card though. The law is clear.

AntiHop · 02/03/2015 08:50

Yanbu. As it's A legal requirement I would refuse to come in until the toilet is working.

Original poster
amberley1960 · 02/03/2015 08:55

Thanks I'm going in now to see if it's been fixed? The problem is there's only me and him today so I will leave him in the lurch. The reason I'm so anti today is the loo we were using is no longer available. He will ask the people in the office next door but it will be too embarrassing to be back and for all day.

OP posts:
Topseyt · 02/03/2015 08:56

Parts for toilet cisterns (assuming that is what it is) aren't usually expensive wherever you buy them from.

He could have gone to a plumbers' merchant for it and had it fitted within a day or so. I suspect he may be breaching environmental health guidelines by having it out of order for so long.

Can you tell him that? Don't pull the period one. Many men I know just wouldn't really get it.

MidniteScribbler · 02/03/2015 09:00

But if he's providing access to a toilet, then I don't see that he's breaking any law. It may not be as convenient to you, but one is available. Just because you don't want to walk to another office, doesn't mean you should get a day off.

Purplepoodle · 02/03/2015 09:03

Just use the loo next door. I'm sure they won't care if your popping in and out other than that if you fuse to go in then I'd say you would have to take it as unpaid leave.

Topseyt · 02/03/2015 09:03

If the problem is that it simply won't flush then my guess is the diaphragm. Sometimes they split.

If that happens then a temporary repair can sometimes be effected by tying a plastic bag over said diaphragm. Again, diaphragms are inexpensive.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page