To go to the toilet at work?

[Bornnotbourne]

Recently started working in a school as an assistant. I’ve had part of bowel removed and disclosed this in my interview as I have a gap in my CV. I was pulled up on going to the toilet yesterday by the SLT, there were enough staff looking after the kids and I had asked another staff member. She said she expects me to go straight from one task to another (I.e looking after them inside to outside).
Should I remind her that I have a re-sected bowel? Or just wear a pad? I’m really embarrassed about my bowels and it’s something I haven’t even spoken to my family about. I go to a public toilet before work and generally only go once in work.

My friend has just given up teaching after 30 years,she said the nicest thing now is being able to go to the toilet when she needs too which is pretty awful.

That is really bad! Even if you did not have bowel problem that is appalling! I kind of understand your problem as I am incontinent (front only). When I have to go I have to go. We are supposed to call a porter to sit at the desk when we go to the loo but by the time they come there would be a tsunami! Otherwise we put a note up but if I cannot find it (sometimes not put back where it should be) then I am afraid no note! Just getting out of my seat and I can feel it coming.

As a first stop, just remind them.
And keep going when you need to.
Please do not start wearing pads if it’s not something you’d usually do.
SLT are firmly in the wrong here.
If they are still being weird about it then go above them.

Teachers are expected to time their toilet visits for times when they are not required to be in the classroom.

This

Sorry can’t tag people in as I’m rushing to get ready. It’s primary not secondary. I don’t see SLT. When we go outside I cannot come back inside unless another member of staff lets me in. And just reiterate that I didn’t leave any child unsupervised, I would never ever do that. We had a good staff to child ratio.

I would look for another job. A lot of schools are really lovely places to work in. Some are not.

How big is your school? Sorry but to me this is a strange set up. The head and deputy head and generally always around site (or at least one of them are) plus we have various other staff who take on senior roles if both should be absent.
Who's in charge of safeguarding? The way you talk it sounds like no one is ever available, so what would you do if you had an immediate concern with a child?

What kind of school are you in? As you keep mentioning ratios? I can be out on duty with the whole class of 30 on my own.

Why don't you have access to the building? What if you had an emergency and a child hurt themselves and you needed to get in.

There are a lot of issues from what you have said about this school.

Hi op, Iv'e had my entire bowel removed and often go to the toilet to open bowels 6-8 times in a day. Im very quick and no one has pulled me up on this. Send an email to SLT explaining this so its documented. You disclosed this at interview and this should be a reasonable adjustment. After emailing I'd be v suprised if any further comments are made. Most likely the manager was not aware or is thoughtless.

How have we got to the stage where people can't have a basic human function met.

When did going to the toilet become "not allowed"

I’d email them reminding them of your disclosure and agreed reasonable adjustments. So you have it in writing if anyone is being an idiot. Then I’d keep going to the toilet as agreed.

then if they pull you on it- union. No messing. Thry will back off you and move on to someone else.

as someone who doesn’t work in schools I think it’s completely ridiculous that adults are policed on when they can go to the toilet when all children’s supervision needs are covered. Have they considered that treating staff sensibly may help with retention!

This is one of the reasons I stopped teaching.

Have they considered that treating staff sensibly may help with retention!

Have you read posts on here by parents complaining about teachers? There is a serious lack of respect towards teachers in this country and not just from SLT.

I left teaching years ago. It wasn't allowed when I was in the job. It's not the only job where you can't go to the toilet on demand. The OP however has the need for a reasonable adjustment.

I'm a TA and has come across different attitudes from teachers/SLT. I'm of the opinion that we are all adults with various needs, so ought to be able to use the toilet when required. However, I do realise that at times it's very tricky to leave the room.

We have children who HAVE to go when they need to and we let them go. This should extend to the adults too.

In my experience, occasionally some SLT (and sometimes school staff in general) forget that they are working with both children AND adults and can't differentiate between the two.

The person knows you have a resected bowel (though they may have forgotten) but does not realise the practical consequences for you. No need for complaints and unions at this stage - just explain to them that your medical history means you need to visit the loo more frequently than before. If it’s still not over-frequently there shouldn’t be a problem.

Hi @Bornnotbourne others have given good advice so I won't add to it, but rather like @BitOutOfPractice I just wanted to send warm wishes. I had a huge endometrial cyst which attached itself to my ovary (it took 7 years for me to get the NHS to take it seriously) and I remember the pain. I hope you are feeling ok today despite the lack of sleep and that this work situation is swiftly and positively resolved 💐

I’d ask for a private meeting with the SLT and explain about your needs. They probably won’t have put two and two together, which is ridiculous but happens.

Tell her you’re embarrassed to have the conversation and this shouldn’t need to be spelled out. She has put you in a really tough spot.

The fact you have bowel issues makes it worse, but she shouldn't be questioning anybody - that's why you health and safety at work mandate workplace toilets FFS. They're not there as ornaments.

Of course workplace toilets are mandatory. That doesn't mean employees can always use them on demand unless they have medical issues. Plenty of people have explained that in general teaching staff can't just go to the toilet when they feel like it.

Hi @Bornnotbourne, I work with someone with endometriosis. It’s such an awful condition. But hold your head high.

Please don’t worry. Under Disability Discrimination Act, your employer has to make reasonable adjustments. Seek advice from union rep.

IMHO schools are obsessed with both kids and adults going to the toilet. All very anal. It’s important for learning, not to mention health, kids drink plenty of water, but most of them come out of school savagely dehydrated because schools don’t encourage it as kids will need the toilet!

Is your line manager aware of your condition? If not, they need to know and you need to raise this with them. Horrible thing to happen, I suspect the member of SLT had forgotten what was discussed at your interview.

You are entitled to reasonable adjustments and to the basic dignity of a toilet as opposed to having to soil yourself in a pad. Not that I am suggesting that people who use a pad lack dignity of course. But you can use a toilet and should be able to.

But yes, remind the head first in case they forgot

Things like this need to be organised properly as a reasonable adjustment

currently it just looks as though your randomly nipping off all the time