Loo issue in the office

[Standingupstream]

NC for this..
I work in an office with mainly women. There is one man who is senior to us, although he isn’t our manager, and he only started coming over to our office a few months ago.We only have one loo that we all share, and before he started working in our office, this was never an issue.
Now, about 30 minutes after arriving, he disappears into the loo for ages. When he finally comes out, the smell is absolutely suffocating. There’s no window, in the loo and the air fresheners just seem to make the whole thing even more vomit-inducing.
Then, a couple of hours later, he goes again. And again after lunch. And usually once more in the afternoon. This happens pretty much every time he’s in the office, which is around 3–4 days a week.
It has now become a running joke amongst us. If someone needs the loo and it’s occupied, we ask ( other people ) if it’s him, because we all know there’s absolutely no point even attempting to go in for at least half an hour. 😂
My DH actually uses a different loo at home because I hate a poo-smelling bathroom, but obviously if it happens occasionally I’m not exactly precious about it because he’s my DH. I just find it rather gross being subjected to this at work by a man I barely know. 😂

The problem is, we genuinely don’t know what to do about it. How on earth do you approach a grown man about the fact that his toilet habits are basically fumigating the entire office, without completely humiliating him?!
I actually started to worry if he has some serious stomach issues. That would be actually completely different matter.
How would you approach it? Or should we just leave it. We are becoming very cross about it.

I'm talking about seeing his naked body, which you said somebody else had and which is why he's in the office 3/4 times a week. Is he having a relationship/affair with that person? If so, why cant they talk to him about the smell.

Well you have an isaue with the smell so.....

And no, I did not see him naked, someone else did and that’s why he is in our office 3-4 days a week!

Maybe the person he’s shagging should have a quiet word….?

I have an issue with the smell? I don't work in the office...

BUT, it doesn't make sense for 15 people to use the downstairs toilet because there is one person who has no respect for their colleagues and is happy to stink out, not only the toilet but the whole office.

No the 15 people can choose what loo they use.

If for whatever reason they don’t want use loo number 1, they can use loo number 2.

Some bowel issues are accompanied by urgency, and yet you expect him to walk downstairs to use another toilet when he may not make it that far.

I used to work with someone who drove home (ten minutes away) every time she needed the loo as she refused to use the office toilets.

Yes he did but it ended when found out so now when she is in the main site he comes to our site to avoid her

And how exactly is he supposed to do this if there are no windows? OP says air fresheners don’t help.

He might have ulcerative colitis or another bowel disease. It’s not his fault.

I can't believe this is what the office is talking about. Get the fan in the toilet fixed and / or upgraded and if necessary get better fans or aircon in the office itself. If the toilet and office are that badly ventilated, then HR and building maintenance need to sort it out.

Stop talking about how when people take a poo, it smells like you are all 5 years old. Of course it is gross, of course it is unpleasant - but that is how shit comes out of some human bodies. Sounds like a really unpleasant work environment with 15 people all gossiping about one colleague behind their back.

Maybe less concentrated is the difference but I think disabled loos often seem to have a bit more thought applied to their installation. For an extractor fan to work effectively you need air flow into the toilet so a door should be hung with a small gap at bottom (just 1cm will do it) or a vent on the door. I think you are much more likely to find this in disabled toilet, I’ve encountered plenty of non - disabled loos ehich are practically hermetically sealed so the fan is ineffective unless door is left open and smells linger.

I would honestly hate this and can't imagine anyone being so blind to their toilet habits they wouldn't go downstairs for a poo on this situation!

id be putting a sign on the door asking people to go downstairs for no2 to avoid leaving a smell in the office.

At what point did she inform you that he doesn't have a stoma?

Nah, it sounds like a really unpleasant work environment because one person is stinking it out four times a day.

No-one is 'gossiping'. It seems they want to come up with a solution but don't know how to approach it.

Personally I'd give the smelly, disrespectful bastard some poo drops to use before and after their daily shits.

I can't imagine anyone being completely oblivious to the fact that some people have medical issues that mean they may not have time to get downstairs every time they need a poo. Yet here we are.

😅

You have no idea what he is dealing with and it is not your business. You use the disabled loo. That's the obvious solution. Your office environment sounds horrible. Poor chap.

Post poo drops 🤣🤣🤣

When I NEED to go, it's either the closest toilet or shit myself. What would you prefer? Some people don't have the luxury of going further afield to the toilet.

???

Post poo drops

Really? In OPs original post, she says: "It has now become a running joke amongst us. If someone needs the loo and it’s occupied, we ask ( other people ) if it’s him, because we all know there’s absolutely no point even attempting to go in for at least half an hour." That sounds like gossip to me!!!!!

In the first post you said mainly women.

one post you said you share the toilet with 15 people and don’t mind sharing with men (although your own husband uses a different toilet)

Then you changed it to 15 women.

Make it a female only space.

but you’re being mean (if this is real) he’s obviously not making a smell deliberately. And maybe why he’s started coming to your office if he’s experienced similar attitudes at another office.

Can’t you use the downstairs loo?

I’d prefer you go to the closest toilet obviously However I’d wager that whilst this person may NEED to go sometimes, it’s not every time. Particularly given the regularity re timing.