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.

I would request a meeting with SLT to discuss it before going to the union. Quite possibly they forgot what you said in the interview. If you remind them and it's still an issue, then yep, go to the union.

I don’t think only mentioning it in your interview is enough. Do it properly so there’s no further issues.

It doesn't matter whether or not you left a child unsupervised. If you have it documented in your reasonable adjustments that you need a toilet break, then the management needs to arrange a cover. The issue is that you did not formally disclosed your condition and therefore, there was no OH assessment or RAs agreed. You need to make a request for OH either through your manager or directly through HR and go from there. Once your RAs are documented, you are protected. Right now, there isn't much you can do as you didn't make a formal disclosure of your disability.

If I interviewed you and you explained you had a gap on your CV due to having bowel surgery it wouldn't occur to me that it would have an effect on your toilet needs now.

I do of course know some people have a stoma after bowel surgery but I wouldn't think too much about it or be thinking hard about your personal medical details - I would assume that if you needed any accommodation you would ask for it.

So I think this could be a case of them not understanding - also they don't know what you are doing in the bathroom.

It seems strange, coming from an office background, for any workplace to be monitoring your toilet use but I guess that's the nature of being in charge of kids.

I'd explain first as it could be a simple case if not knowing, and then if they are not helpful speak to union rep.

I would remind them that youve had bowel surgery due to severe endometriosis and while you feel that you manage this well with minimal impact on your career, you do need the reassurance that if necessary, you can access a toilet at short notice and feel this is a reasonable adjustment and are happy to speak to occupational health if it helps

My child also has a bowel condition. She must go to the toilet when she needs to. You are important and your health comes before work. You need to have a chat with this person privately and explain that you have a bowel condition, so you do need the toilet more urgently than others do.

This, be quite firm. Join tge NEU if you haven't already. Keep notes (who, When, what, where).

That is one of the worst dusability discrimination incudents I have heard. What kind of human being are they, just dreadful.

I had this when I was a TA (secondary). Told I could only go during break, then put on break duty every day at break, lunch and after school. It was one of the reasons I left.

I have worked in secondary schools all my life and I have always been able to nip to the loo. You get non contact time. The teacher next door, a TA or someone is usually able to keep an eye. Also teenagers can be left in a classroom if necessary. They aren’t toddlers. Obviously, if you are the type of teacher who never lets them go to the loo then you can’t, but I have always been more of a ‘we are getting through this together’ type of teacher.

Do they actually KNOW that when you need to go you need to go, because of a disability?

I'd keep it low key, email your line manager with a summary of what happened, an overview of your condition and the surgery you had plus your requirements for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. Then copy it to your union friend.

They may just not have made that connection.

How they respond will inform what you do next.

I don’t think the interview disclosure re a career gap will necessarily equate to them understanding that you needing the toilet at certain times. You should say “I need the toilet at X time, due to my health condition. I always make sure there is cover.” There is no ambiguity then. If they still give you a hard time then bring in the union.

That rather depends on you not teaching in isolated areas and not being subject to micromanaging superiors. Some of us weren't so fortunate. And of course even with teenagers there might be an incident that would have you in trouble if you'd left them unattended.

This is good

This - not everyone is going to infer from such a disclosure that it means you have medical need to go to the toilet urgently and must be able to. I'd talk to the headteacher before resorting to bringing in the union.

This here

@Bornnotbourne I think this is disgraceful. Even if you didn't have a medical issue being policed on going to the toilet is disgraceful. Holding it in can cause all kinds of health issues. Given your additional medical issue I think you should definitely complain via your union rep to make sure this doesn't happen again. If the kids had been left unsupervised that would obviously be an issue, but given they weren't I can't see any grounds for such a ridiculous warning.

While this issue may fall under "reasonable adjustment", I’m a little bemused what’s expected of healthy staff? Are they expected not to go to the toilet?!

are toilet policies even a thing or is there an expectation that toilets can be accessed at need - noting that duties may need to be handed over briefly in some situations.

Your union rep should arrange an appointment with occ health so it can be added to your work contract. They may have to evidence your GP notes. It’s horrible to have to do this but once it’s done should be easier x

Just remind them - use the phrase ‘reasonable adjustment’ and ‘medical need’, that should be enough to make her remember she doesn’t want to go down that road… no need to fully disclose, if she insists just say you’re keen for an occupational health appointment.

I cannot believe that an adult is telling another adult when they can and cannot use the toilet. When did this become ok? I'd have told her where she can poke it, but then I don't work in a school with self important SLT.

You need to communicate all of your issues better without getting embarrassed by it

I think I know this school! Can you give clue as to where in the uk you are please to see if am right.

Bowel or no bowel no one should be told (student or staff) they can’t go to the toilet. I’m sick of schools ruling on loo breaks!

It's disgusting. When working in a nursery I stopped drinking water before and during work because of the way toilet breaks were viewed.

There's a real culture around it in nursery and school settings. The "best" workers are the ones that don't go to the bathroom full stop.

I have horrendous periods and it was really, really bad. The comments and the looks if I went to the bathroom more than once on a shift.

YANBU OP and she is on shakey ground, especially with your condition...but this is definitely a wider issue throughout the industry.