To think you can’t close the toilets while people are still in the building?

[CyanSnake]

Warning - potentially graphic bathroom things if you are sensitive?

The office building I work in closes to clients / public enquiry at 16:00, which is when the cleaners start. However it is open to staff to continue working until 19:00.

Now I’ve got IBS and ten minutes ago I felt the familiar cramping and had to run for the bathroom. I got to the toilets on my floor to find a cleaner outside them saying “sorry; these are closed I’ve just done them.”

I ran up the flight of stairs to find another set of toilets closed with a wet floor sign and a big notice saying “just cleaned - don’t use”.

I repeated this up the next flight of stairs to find the same - a cleaner outside them saying “please can you not use them, I’ve just moped.”

I did eventually manage to find a disabled loo that hadn’t been cleaned yet; but it was up two floors and across the building from my office.

AIBU to think you shouldn’t close the toilets two hours before the building closes?

YANBU, our building is open 24hrs as there are people who work night shift as well as day shift and back shift, the toilets always get cleaned around the same time but they can be used after that. If the cleaners in your building need to clean before the building closes the you should still be able to use them and then they could get a quick once over once it's closed.

Did you explain the urgency or your situation?

That's pretty awful, but I'm guessing it's not an official thing, just the cleaners asking you. Unless they have physically locked the loos I would be using them. You could raise it with facilities and remind them about the wellbeing of staff. Even if you didn't have IBS three hours is quite a long time before a commute home.

@Honeybobbin I tired to ignore the sign; but it had been locked with the caretakers key... they are those gender neutral cupboard like ones with a signal toilet and sink inside. There’s a standard lock for users and then a keyhole lock for when they are out of order

If you have IBS, wouldn't you be entitled to a key?

I think it’s worth raising as an issue for everyone. I'm pretty sure you’re entitled to be provided with toilets at work regardless of whether you have a health condition that requires them urgently. It reminds me of one of our buildings where they shut the lift down early, so anyone who can’t use the stairs needs to go home early 😡

YANBU at all.

2 hours before office closing plus commute home...

Just talk to your boss I expect it's a thing where the cleaners want to get it done with the extra covid stuff, and maybe that many people don't work late.

Lots of people couldn't go that long- pregnant women , older women who drink a lot of fluids etc etc. Periods...

No it's not reasonable.

There should be loos open whenever people are at work. Back when I actually had to go into the office, the system was that they would only close loos on alternate floors at any time.

The only time all of them were unavailable was when the water was off for a burst pipe, and when that happened they sent us home for the day.

There's bound to be regulations about it tbh so if they fuss you can look them up.

A word with manager should sort it though.

Can you WFH? Leave on time and put an hour in at home?

And here is the link to the rules - www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm

Basically they need to provide sufficient toilets

I find that very unfair and unrealistic process, yes they should be cleaned when this fits with the schedule at end of the day but they shouldnt be 'out of use' after that point, surely a wet floor sign covers them for any slips due to mopped floors.