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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it seen to BU to go to the toilet at work?

525 replies

KittySocks · 25/03/2024 14:08

Posting here for traffic. In the office this morning, there were 2 members of my team having a moan. Essentially, someone had gone to the toilet and had sprayed some of the provided air freshener. Staff member moans that the staff member in question should have waited until they got home before they "stink out the work toilets".

Staff members in question are mid 20s. It started a stupid debate in the office and basically, the older generation see no issue with going to the toilets at work. Younger generation claim they would be mortified and state they would not poop at work!

Is it a generational thing then? I'm of the mindset, if you have to go, you have to go!

YABU - Get a grip - poop away
YANBU - Gross! Hold it in until you get home!

OP posts:
Abbimae · 25/03/2024 20:14

All I can say is It makes me sad that we have come to the point where using the loo for the intended function is somehow looked down upon. Oh to be a uniform who farts roses…..

MrsSlocombesCat · 25/03/2024 20:14

I never did it when I worked because I just couldn’t. But I wouldn’t expect anyone else to hold on! It’s ridiculous.

Fabricwitch · 25/03/2024 20:16

I'm a millennial and I've always gone to the toilet when needed. I've never encountered anyone who said you shouldn't go at work, and I've worked with people from all different generations. 🤷‍♀️

Tryingtokeepgoing · 25/03/2024 20:22

IamOliveOil · 25/03/2024 20:08

I have pooped at work since I’ve been working which is age 14 to age 39 to date.
When you have to go you have to go! These people need to get a grip, god help their insides, that can’t be healthy!

25 years of using the lavatory at work, at say 12 minutes a day (allowing for getting there and back to your desk) means being paid for an hour a week, 52 weeks a year for 25 years just for doing what needed to be done somewhere. That’s 1,300 hours - or 2/3rds of a years salary 😂😂😂

Riverlee · 25/03/2024 20:33

I always go at work (and couldn’t hold it). What do they think a toilet is for?!

EcstaticMarmalade · 25/03/2024 20:40

Holding it in isn’t a good idea. It can increase the chance of developing anal fissures and haemorrhoids.

Charley50 · 25/03/2024 20:40

user1471455335 · 25/03/2024 14:52

As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORKPOO is inevitable. For those who hate pooing at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.

CROP DUSTING -- When farting, you walk briskly around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants

FLY BY -- The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooing. Walk in and check for other pooers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.

ESCAPEE -- A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poo in a cubicle. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

JAILBREAK -- When forcing a poo, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the cubicle until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.

COURTESY FLUSH -- The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poo hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poo has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.

WALK OF SHAME -- Walking from the cubicle, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.

OUT OF THE CLOSET POOER -- A colleague who poos at work and is proud of it. You will often see an Out Of The Closet Pooer enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under his or her arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooer before entering the bathroom.

THE POOING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N) -- A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooing goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of Out Of The Closet Pooers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.

SAFE HAVENS -- A seldom used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex.This will reduce the odds of a pooer of your sex entering the bathroom.

TURD BURGLAR -- Someone who does not realize that you are in the cubicle and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poo at work. If this occurs, remain in the cubicle until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.

CAMO-COUGH -- A phoney cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a cubicle. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.

ASTAIRE -- A subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a cubicle. This will remove all doubt that the cubicle is occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooer can poo in peace.

WATERMELON -- A poo that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.

HAVANA OMELET -- A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.

UNCLE TED -- A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An Uncle Ted makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poo when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣This is all too familiar. I was literally crying with laughter reading this on the train home earlier. Had to stop reading as it looked like I was having a breakdown trying to hold it in. (The laughter, not a poo!).

user1745 · 25/03/2024 20:41

These employees in their 20s are presumably of the same generation as the girls I went to school with who would bully anyone who dared to do a poo in the school toilets, because apparently the main purpose of the girls' toilets was for girls to hang out and smoke in.

Willmafrockfit · 25/03/2024 20:43

it is my colleague of 60 who complains

Nat6999 · 25/03/2024 20:44

Thepeopleversuswork · 25/03/2024 19:48

Wait… the office floor? That’s taking it to another level.

Yes, usually right in the middle of the aisle between the desks, we all used to sit in our cars until we saw the lights being turned on so we wouldn't be the first one in.

Jinglesomeoftheway · 25/03/2024 20:44

Pretty immature and unprofessional. Some girls at an old workplace used to all gossip about who had pooed and when, pretty grim. Everyone does it and some people don't get a choice to wait until they get home.

Playingintheshadow · 25/03/2024 20:45

Rosscameasdoody · 25/03/2024 20:12

Red wine just came down my nose !!!

On a school night!!!😂

wilteddandelion · 25/03/2024 20:45

Boss makes a dollar, worker makes a dime; so smart fellas shit on company time

CarrotCake01 · 25/03/2024 20:46

I would be super uncomfortable going for a poo at work, I actively hold it in until I get home. Even if I'm desperate.
I think the only time I ever pooped at work was about, 8 years ago. It came on suddenly, I was feeling poorly and I knew I couldn't hold it so I pooped in the staff toilets. Then one of my colleagues messaged me with poo emojis and laughing faces aaaannd I was mortified.

Thomasina79 · 25/03/2024 20:48

Important to leave the area as clean as you find it and bleach, clean etc, but as others have pointed out it is unhealthy not to obey it when nature calls! It’s good if there is a window to open too. I hate it if the loo is left dirty and loathe to see loo paper left on the floor, but we are all the same and all have to go!

Margotandgerry · 25/03/2024 20:52

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 25/03/2024 14:16

I like go at work because it means I get paid for it but then afterward I give all my colleagues a little goody bag like those terrible ones given out by parents travelling on a plane with a baby.

Inside mine is some lavender oil, a nose plug and a poem that says "Very sorry, thought I'd let you know. To the toilet I had to go. You may want to leave it a little bit, cos I've just done a massive..." I'll let people guess the rest.

Needless to say this hasn't worked and HR have asked me to stop.

Omg my other half and I found this hilarious!! Thank you for cheering us both up 🤣Especially the poem!

Maddy70 · 25/03/2024 20:59

Playingintheshadow · 25/03/2024 19:32

Don't be so bloody ridiculous!! Plenty of people have bowel issues - I'm one of them - and if I have to go, I go! Could have been 10+ times a day at worst (not all in work).

How stupid and judgey! Why can't people shit in the shitter?

Obviously of you have a medical condition that's different. But if you can wait until you are home why wouldn't you? It stinks. Gross

ChristmasCwtch · 25/03/2024 21:07

I’d love to have bowels I could command like this 😂

Hoolahooploop · 25/03/2024 21:08

I couldn’t hold a poo in for 30 mins let alone a whole day. Do people have magic bum holes? Honestly the pain of keeping it in would be worse than the ‘shame’ of doing a poo at work

Ottersmith · 25/03/2024 21:08

Is this also a man / woman thing? I find that men poo anywhere with zero shame whereas women's bowels tend to clamp shut with the shame. Those women were not being sisterly at all.

By the way it's poo in this country, not poop!

HPFA · 25/03/2024 21:11

I'd never for one moment imagined that people had a problem with using work toilets. If I need to use one, I do! And I couldn't give a toss if there's a smell either from me or from other people, it's what bodies do.

JenniferBooth · 25/03/2024 21:13

Maddy70 · 25/03/2024 20:59

Obviously of you have a medical condition that's different. But if you can wait until you are home why wouldn't you? It stinks. Gross

Ok here is a good litmus test. You dont like a colleugue going at work so would you be willing to give them a lift home in your car while they are holding themselves. You know.............put your money where your mouth is. Pathetic

CreateAUsername2024 · 25/03/2024 21:13

Nobodys going to love the smell obvs lol but you have to be so unbelievably nasty to mention it. It be so upset if I thought I'd ever joined in or made comments like this and someone felt bad about themselves.

katepilar · 25/03/2024 21:13

Maddy70 · 25/03/2024 20:59

Obviously of you have a medical condition that's different. But if you can wait until you are home why wouldn't you? It stinks. Gross

Why would you? Its uncomfortable and it damages your health.