Unisex toilets in new office - dread going into work

[SocialMol]

The company I work for moved to a new office a few weeks ago. It is brand new and shared 50/50 with another company. We have our own side of the floor, key card protected so completely separate.

However, the toilets are in the middle of the block so are shared with the other company. These are unisex - several cubicles with shared area for sinks/dryers etc.

The other company is a sales one (they run a call centre there) and the demographic of their workforce is mainly young men in their 20’s.

There have been several instances of inappropriate comments made to staff in the toilets. Crass stuff like ‘give that cubicle 5 minutes’ to cruder comments directed at or about women - the men will often be talking about their own colleagues in a derogatory way in front of us.

The final straw for me was this afternoon when I walked out of a cubicle and a spotty young lad said he will ‘join me next time’ 😷

Our company are aware of our concerns but said there’s nothing they can do, as the toilets are designed to be ‘inclusive’ and similar to the other modern office blocks they viewed.

I don’t really know what I’m looking for by posting this to be honest, just wanted to know if anyone else finds this sort of set up completely ridiculous?

I would ask your company to clarify that they are now not dealing with sexual harrassment. Just because it is said in the toilets doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue. They should absolutely raising this with the other organisation you are co located with. Either directly or via building management.

Both are true.
complain to HR.report wvery shitry msn who makes a shitty comment. Every single time. Conplete the online complaint forms.

She doesn’t have to deal with it there are laws. We either ensure they are enforced or women’s rights go backwards.

Obviously the human race can survive all sorts of challenging conditions but a) we don’t live in the 1800s, b) I think not getting raped or murdered while using the toilet at work is a pretty low bar. Why can’t OP expect to turn up at work and have lawful and suitable toilet facilities to use during her day? Without having to run the gauntlet of misogynistic men and have nasty confrontations just to use the loo?

Your comment is as nasty as it is ridiculous.

'Our company are aware of our concerns but said there’s nothing they can do'

Your company are breaking the law. They are legally obliged to provide a safe and dignified working environment. You're being sexually harassed and should raise a complaint. There is no point in discussing it further with them.

I agree. Honestly, the things I read about on MN which people can't cope with these days and which causes MH issues astounds me.

Employers have a duty of care to make sure you're safe at work (and that includes taking reasonable steps to prevent things like sexual harassment). If you've told them you're getting harassed they need to do something to sort it, nit just tell you to get over it. They can speak to the landlords, speak to the other tenant etc as a first step

@LoserWinner

'Oh, for goodness’ sake! I assume you are a grown woman? Just deal with it. Tell the oikish twerps to show a bit of respect and get on with your life. The human race somehow managed to survive when whole streets shared outdoor loos. I’m sure sharing cubicle toilets in a modern building won’t kill anyone.'

Still recovering from that lobotomy? You should go and hang out in the toilets at OPs workplace. Maybe they'll pick you! Bless.

@SocialMol the toilet's are illegal. To be legal mixed sex facilities they must be fully inclosed space with floor to ceiling doors and wall with a sink in the room.
Your company is discriminating against you and facilitating the sexual harassment of the female staff and breaking the workplace health and safety act 1992 which says separate single sex facilities must be provided except where there isn't space and fully inclosed legal unisex facilities for use by 1 person at a time (which yours aren't).
You need to have a serious word with hr as this situation is not ok or legal

OP your employer has a legal duty which came into being in 2024 to protect you from sexual harassment. Your employer must take reasonable steps to protect you and be proactive not reactive. Ring ACAS and ask for advice. www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/steps-for-employers-to-prevent-sexual-harassment

So you think it is perfectly ok for employers to break the law and for men to harass and make women feel uncomfortable when they want to use the toilets?

Maybe you are a fan of angry confrontations with men in an enclosed space but I think that is an unusual attitude. Why don’t you think OP deserves to use the toilet at work without being hassled by men?

That’s hardly likely to be a risk in office toilets. I despair at the lack of common sense and hypersensitivity of people today.

I am not a fan of unisex toilets but these are not even correct for unisex toilets.

Maybe the easiest thing is to ask for a wall to split the room. This would be easier than moving all the sinks into the cubicles. It would also give you more cubicles. I would really emphasise that you want single sex cubicles with door gaps - they are safer, more hygienic and don’t smell as much.

Any changes to toilets should regard building regs (Document T, 2024).

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67167c02d100972c0f4c9b38/ADT_2024.pdf

Is your CEO a man?

You need to keep complaining. It's unacceptable that you are being exposed to sexual harassment in this way.

She's being sexually harassed at work. Why should she just ignore it?!

Every time this happens go across to the company and report the behaviour.

No. Report it in writing every tine it happens.

I can look after myself, as should every fully functioning adult. I don’t waste time and energy whingeing on social media that childish men are being mean to me in the office loos. And I don’t need to resort to ad hominem insults to make my point.

I think these loos are illegal and you should have single sex ones

If you want to share with men, you're welcome to. However women deserve our own space where we get privacy and dignity. You can't give that away for anyone else. Also some blokes are mortified by sharing too. You're being insensitive.

I’m glad you feel so safe that you can afford this attitude.

Many women should feel safe in all sorts of places of work, like hospitals for example. Are you aware of how many rapes and sexual assaults that take place by male staff in hospitals? Their jobs would presumably be at risk if caught (and convicted - which, as only 1% of reported rapes even get charged, let alone convicted, is low), so that’s clearly not reliable deterrent. Even if they don’t commit rape or sexual assault, they are deliberately making OP feel very uncomfortable in her place of work.

Why do you think she should have to put up with that? Are we in the 1970s? This isn’t ’hypersensitivity’ or a lack of common sense - this is OP expecting basic legal provision of toilet facilities in the workplace.

It's such a backwards step for women to have to start jumping through hoops for a space where they won't have to encounter this when it was all already done. 'Get over it's doesn't cut it.

Absolutely. So much wrong OP you must raise it formally.