Mortifying situation at work, how to handle it?

[CheeseCrackers45]

Hi all. Already EXTREMELY embarrassed and want advice/WWYD.

So, I was on my break at work today and am on my period. Went to the bathroom, changed my pad, wrapped the used one in a bag and put it on the bin in preparation to put it in, but was in such a rush that I completely forgot to. Went back to work and suddenly remembered after about 15 minutes, but before I had a chance to excuse myself to put it in the bin, I overheard a colleague reporting to our manager that she'd found a used sanitary towel in the bathroom! I then overheard her talking and laughing about it with other colleagues, making fun of the thickness of the pad and how it reminded her of a nappy etc (I have endo so have really really heavy periods that only very big pads are able to handle).

I then overheard two managers talking about how they're going to hold a meeting with all the staff about keeping the bathrooms tidy/using facilities provided tomorrow.

I am absolutely mortified and embarrassed. I know I should have remembered to put it in the bin and nobody else should have to see it, but it was a genuine slip of memory.

Nobody has any idea that it was me (nobody saw me enter or leave the bathroom and nobody else was in there) but I'm terrified they'll be able to check CCTV in the hallway etc. I'm thinking of not saying anything and feigning ignorance when it's brought up but I'm so worried that I'll give myself away and thinking of discretely taking my manager aside and admitting it was me but that it was a genuine mistake and apologising profusely. However, my manager is a man and I'm not sure how understanding he would be.

Thankfully we finish for Christmas break tomorrow so hopefully it'll all be forgotten by the time we come back 😅

YABU - Come clean
YANBU - Don't say anything

As a one off they won’t investigate or check CCTV or anything, just a reminder about toilet etiquette, so try not to worry too much. Just stay quiet about it.

Unless everyone you work with is under 12, it’s still hard to believe the ructions you claim it caused.

say nothing at all and forget it. Your colleagues sound very immature

So you forgot to put your pad in the bin ? They can't exactly fire you for this. Periods are normal, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. You forgot that's all.

@BombaySamphire I'm glad you've worked in such nice environments that this is unbelievable. Unfortunately it is very much true.

Say nothing. Everyone will just be thinking about last day of work tomorrow, nothing more will be done or said.

I did that once, OP. Perimenopause doing a number on my brain as well as my uterus. If anyone noticed, nothing was said. I recommend keeping schtumm! It will all blow over when the bitchy ones find something else to talk about.

Oh OP, I have done this before too, only in my case it was even worse as there were only two of us so it was obviously me 🫣 I admit I was mortified too, though as others have said, why should we be, really? Periods happen! Your colleague sounds awful though, and acting like a 10 year old. She is the one who should be mortified.

@DimplesToadfoot you’ve really cracked me up with that 😂

What bag?

I used to just fold them into some loo roll. Do women carry bags around with them now?

Yes, that's why I've reported this thread.

If anyone says anything I’d say you saw it when you went in but didn’t want to embarrass someone and thought whoever had done it would probably come back and clean it away later so you were giving them chance to. Has the added bonus of making the woman who was mocking it look like a dick

@TinselTitts okay, I am perfectly happy to provide and proof that MNHQ need that I am genuine 😊

If you do pull him aside I'd definitely say the way she spoke about it was demeaning. As a man he'd think you have balls and probably be impressed you didn't just pretend it wasn't you.

@VanGoghsDog my work provides bags to wrap used sanitary products in and asks that we do so before putting them in the bins.

Also if it was in a bag she could easily have just put it in the bin, perhaps handle with loo roll, herself. No need to take the piss. How large is your workplace? Was it for sure whoever left it would hear her? Or unlikely? Are we talking like 50 potential women or less than 10?

Weird, nowhere I have ever worked has done that. Why do they do that?

Look for a new job you're place sounds awful.

@Boomboom22 I don't want to be too outing but I work in a factory and there's probably around 30 people spread out over the shop floor. Around half are women. The line we work on is tucked away in a corner so she probably thought she wouldn't be overheard.

A factory that mandates women wrap their sanitary pads in bags before disposing of them. They give you the bags? Is it part of your induction into the company?

I've never heard of this, ever, anywhere.

Do you work for fascist dictators or something?

The only thing you did "wrong" is handle your phone before washing your hands.

If they couldn't catch the pee perpetrator, they won't "catch" you either.

I have, unfortunately, worked with women who would absolutely bitch about this

Don’t worry about it. The CCTV is not in the loo. No one will know.

And if anyone does come at you, tell them to take it up with Eve, and get a fucking life. It’s only a sanny pad.

It might not be a specific sanitary bin hence why they ask people to use bags

It all sounds a bit far fetched and your female colleagues sound immature and bitchy.
But be glad it's the time of year that it is, it won't get mentioned tomorrow as people will be thinking of winding down for Christmas. In the new year this will all be forgotten.

Just make a mental note to double check you've binned the pad in future.