To be apprehensive about this toilet situation

[coconutwhip]

I work in a college environment I went back today after building works have gone on to find this situation.
The toilets have had the wall removed which separates it from the corridor. As you walk down the corridor you can see the cubicals and sinks (I've attached a drawing in true mumsnet fashion!). It says the toilets are female only but yet everyone can see in? The cubicals are not floor to ceiling so you could I imagine see people's feet as you walk towards it.
I don't care about sharing toilets as I've always been in a unisex toilet environment but to not have a separate 'room' with the toilets in but rather being where everyone can see is horrifying me. Surely this isn't right?
AIBU to feel like this

We had this in my last secondary school with the important difference that the cubicles all had floor to ceiling doors and walls. Sinks were communal.

Children had requested this to reduce bullying as it was easy for a member of staff to keep an eye on them from the corridor without infringing anyone's privacy.

With gaps under and over doors though - I don't see how it can be legal to have them for mixed sex use even if they weren't open to the corridor.

Our secondary school toilets are open plan like that, have been for a good couple of years. No loitering and bullying in the toilets anymore.

Looks terrifying. I'd complain.

I would not use those toilets, I'd hate the fact that the wall doesn't come all the way down to the floor. I have IBS and would not use them as people would be more likely to notice that. Also no privacy for somebody escaping to the loo for privacy for other reasons.

This is horrifying and I wouldn't use them! I would complain. Are you a member of a union? Staff and students will be excluded from college by this set up. Some people just won't go to college if there isn't a private facility - and I think that's fair enough.

YANBU! I think there are some questions to be asked. I'm not sure that this is actually even legal.

They are illegal. The don't comply with regulations.

Girls aren't drinking during the school day and missing school when they've got their periods because they hate using them so much. That is a much bigger issue than loitering.

I doubt these decisions for toilet layouts are being made by women.

Girls are missing school over non-private toilets.

Women need to speak out.

Have the building works finished? Is it a work in progress because the students are not back yet?

@PanamaPattie looked pretty finished to me I'm afraid

Ages are from 16 upwards as we do some adult courses (cover BTECs etc)
As I've said I cannot comment on the boys toilets as I haven't been down to where they used to be to discover what had gone on.
I don't belong to the union however I am going to ask what the arrangements are in the other campuses as would be interested to know if it is a college wide programme!

This is absolutely hideous and I bet it's not even legal.

@coconutwhip - I'm sorry to hear that and if that's the case, that is truly shocking. You have my sympathies.

I would lodge a complaint. Fully agree there is a lack of dignity & privacy. Also agree with the H&S concerns over oily particles etc

I have been thinking about this and remembering back to when I got my period. I was one of the first in my group of friends and I used to sneak to the toilets to QUIETLY as possible unwrap the sanitary pad. When I was older and they used pads and I used tampons, I was still trying to be quiet as a mouse to not attract attention to what I was doing.

Had this been in a set of toilets like this college, I'd have missed school. No way I'd have risked the (teenage) boys passing and knowing I was opening something to stick in my vagina.

It's inhumane to have these toilets without totally enclosed cubicles.

And yes, as someone upthread asked, exactly why would toilets be set up like this? Is there no other way to prevent bullying and loitering than to humiliate many girls and young women?

It's appalling. I wouldn't use them. And personally I find it even more appalling that this is being inflicted on schoolchildren. Adolescent girls have the right to privacy and dignity when they are dealing with periods and personal hygiene.

I have nightmares about things like this!!

I would not use them!

How long have you worked there OP?

Do you feel like you could raise it with senior staff?

That's awful! I've told my DD that if her high school pulls this shit then she's to text me whenever she feels the need for the toilet and I'll rock right up to reception every damn time and take her out to use a toilet that offers some privacy. I'd offer the same service for her mates too. And if it takes a while because we have to travel then so be it.

Not a chance in hell I could have a pee with teenage lads just outside a partial cubicle door. Self contained single toilets with a real door, walls and a sink? Sure. Not a problem. But cubicles where privacy isn't 100%? Fuck no. I'd end up with urinal infections from holding my pee all day!

**urinary

Thanks autocorrect