Not wanting to share a toilet with men at work

[Babylambchop]

I have started at a new workplace and its toilets are non-compliant with the law. Ordinary toilets - 3 normal cubicles, not floor to ceiling, with shared hand washing- turned into mixed sex. So all toilets are just 'toilets'. I have tried to get on with it, despite absolutely hating the idea, but last week the seats were all up with pubes stuck everywhere and piss all over the floor, so couldn't even really get to the loo without trousers going in it. Plus kept bumping into male colleagues where we were all a bit awkward. I hate it and I can't get over the fact they're illegal and I shouldn't have to put up with it. Dreading my really heavy period next week. Wibu to complain? In all honesty I dont think I can, but ffs!!!

We are definitely right on this one, aren't we?? If I decide to say something I dont want to be wrong. Also I'm worried that one sex is going to be disadvantaged as they are going to have to use another block and that could make me very unpopular.

That article quotes the laughably inept Good Law Project.

And a room which locks from the inside means a cubicle with floor to ceiling doors and a sink. Not just a normal cubicle with a working lock.

😱

The cleaners are great but are not there all day. Ive noticed theyve put lots of signs up asking people to clean up after themselves. Never seen that in a female toilet.

I would threaten to leave it's completely outrageous to expect women to share with men in those circumstances

https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/health-safety.htm
• separate facilities for men and women, except where each toilet is in a separate room lockable from the inside
• for female workers, somewhere to dispose of sanitary dressings

Honestly our women's toilets are often more gross then the men's that goes for staff toilets and seperate customer toilets. Don't assume women's toilets will be cleaner. People are gross

This happens in my work place where all the toilets are mixed sense. All the cubicles are self contained, with basins and bins, so they are legally compliant. But often there's pee on the floor a d the seat left up.

That sounds awful. I'd raise it politely and in a 'helpful' way, perhaps explaining heavy periods if necessary. You shouldn't be put in this position.

I fucking hate this. We have great toilets at work - a corridor with individual rooms with toilets and sinks in.

Most are single sex. Some are mixed. Without fail, if I go into a Gender Neutral loo, the seat is up and the bowl is filled with piss.

Sorry I don't have any advice really. Good luck.

Wouldn't all of them (men might have problems that mean they need to wear pads/disposable incontinence wear)?
It might be this would be classed as a disability and mean said men should use a toilet labelled Disabled (I know other names are used), but there doesn't seem to be such a toilet, from what OP has said. True, more women will likely be changing pads than men will, but everyone might need a sanitary waste bin.

I do not want to go for a poo next to a male colleague. Nor do I want to touch up my make-up, clean my teeth, do my hair, take my tights off or have a cry in a cubicle next to a man.

But would you raise it in your probation period?

Our new building started out like that, and no-one liked it, men and women. It’s now gone to separate ladies and mens which everyone prefers, but trust me the ladies toilet at our place is far worse than the mens. I can’t believe the state some women leave the toilet in. It’s disgusting.

Yes. Is it possible to write a letter anonymously and drop it in the bosses office?

Really?

At my workplace there is ONE toilet - and if it's working that's a bonus. .

No - I don't really like sharing it with men, but hey. I'm there for 8 hours so don't have a choice.

We have numerous toilets across the whole site. They have decided to make them all communal with no adaptations.

No way of doing it anonymously as I have already asked where the single sex toilets are.

I see it in women's toilets all the time and discuting public ones, I would love to know were people go that has clean toilets for anyone

Im quite old and have rarely seen a womens yoilet in a poor state, it wouldn't be the norm. But then my dh and ds are capable of leaving the toilet in a good state. I guess in a workplace it only takes 1 or 2 dirty bastards and then you have a problem day in day out.

This link might be helpful:

https://sex-matters.org/take-action/know-your-rights-workplace-toilets/

If there's only one toilet you're not sharing it with men in the sense that the legislation means.

Can’t they change the design so they are floor to ceiling? This is how it is setup in my workplace. It does mean men are in the same area but the cubicles are seperated by stud walls and a proper door so it is a seperate room, only the handwashing facilities are shared.

You are not allowed shared handwashing if toilets are mixed sex.

I imagine the organisation has no money for alterations. They would just need to decide which toilet blocks belong to which sex.