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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Can somebody more knowledgeable than me help? Feminine hygiene bins

29 replies

WeShouldBeFriends · 06/02/2019 23:46

I've noticed recently at work that 2 out of 3 cubicles in the women's loos have had the feminine hygiene bins removed. I assumed at first this was due to them being emptied or cleaned but they are still missing a couple of weeks later. Possibly entirely unrelated but these days I'm afraid I'm skeptical; a team leader is trans. Before I raise this issue does anybody know what the legal requirement for providing bins is, or indeed if there is any? Yes there is one bin in a cubicle but I don't think this is adequate as there are a lot female staff (approx 75+) and visitors may be caught out, as I was when I realised. This is in the NHS too Sad

OP posts:
DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 06/02/2019 23:49

Start leaving used sanitary items on the cubicle floors and I guarantee they'll be back within a week Envy

Original poster
WeShouldBeFriends · 06/02/2019 23:51

Ha good point!

OP posts:
userschmoozer · 06/02/2019 23:54

The regulations are a bit hard to find, but your employer must provide bins. If there is only one bin in a cubicle and that is in use, you can't access it.

www.vrsani-co.co.uk/about/legal-requirements/

www.initial.co.uk/blog/company-provide-sanitary-bins/

AornisHades · 06/02/2019 23:54

It's more likely to be 'cost saving' than a calculated attack but it is worth complaining about nonetheless. Have you checked other departments?

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 06/02/2019 23:55

Start flushing them and clogging up their toilet system, then they'll bring them back.

cstaff · 06/02/2019 23:56

The NHS - Oh the irony Shock

nocoolnamesleft · 06/02/2019 23:56

Aren't they female hygiene bins, as they relate to biological function rather than gender performance?

Hmmm, www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm doesn't specifically mention. Wonder if it was written by men? www.initial.co.uk/blog/company-provide-sanitary-bins/ looks to have a vested interest, but seems to quote its sources...

floppyflappy · 06/02/2019 23:56

I can see how this is a misogyny issue, but I don't understand why this is a trans issue?

MrsFogi · 06/02/2019 23:56

As others have suggested leaving sanitary items on the floor should produce rapid results!

Defender90 · 06/02/2019 23:57

Don't just leave used ones on the floor, have the conversation.

My boss suggested doing away with them as a cost saving. I simply asked (as the only female that would create such 'waste' where he would like me to put them then, normal service was resumed swiftly.

nocoolnamesleft · 06/02/2019 23:58

Oh, if it's NHS, clearly you need to state that your only other appropriate disposal is into the orange bins. Given what those bins cost to dispose of...

HamiltonCork · 06/02/2019 23:59

They’ll soon find that a plumber to unblock the drains costs a heck of a lot more than providing sanitary bins.

MargueritaPink · 06/02/2019 23:59

Why don't you raise this with the janitors? Or whatever department deals with this sort of thing?

I don't have the need for them now but if a cubicle in my office was missing a disposal bin my first thought would be to report it to the facilities manager as there had been an oversight - not that there is a conspiracy.

I occasionally use Tena lady (and obviously they go in the san pro bin) and it occurred to me what are male users of Tena (and they exist) supposed to do? Maybe regardless of trans issues all cubicles should have a disposal bin.

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 07/02/2019 00:01

Yes, agree. Leave used sanitary products on the floor or flush down the toilet. I mean, what else are you supposed to do if the other cubicle is in use, there's nowhere else to put them.

Lichtie · 07/02/2019 00:04

Why are you skeptical of your trans colleague.. Do you think they have removed the bins for her benefit, can't see any reason for that, or do you think trans people go round stealing bins?

nocoolnamesleft · 07/02/2019 00:05

You can't just leave them on the floor, because the poor sod who'll be cleaning them up will most definitely not be the fuckwit who arranged for the bins to be removed.

MargueritaPink · 07/02/2019 00:16

You can't just leave them on the floor, because the poor sod who'll be cleaning them up will most definitely not be the fuckwit who arranged for the bins to be removed

Someone did that in one of the loos in my office. I have no idea why- all the cubicles have bins. It wasn't some poor sod who had to deal with it. The toilets were temporarily closed and Initial (the company in the links) was called out. It sounds OTT but none of the office staff or the office cleaners could be asked to clear away used sanitary products.

I really think the OP should point out the bins are missing before jumping to conclusions.

Calvinsmam · 07/02/2019 00:17

Can you not just ask???????

Why wouldn’t you just say ‘erm where have the bins gone?’

nocoolnamesleft · 07/02/2019 00:21

none of the office staff or the office cleaners could be asked to clear away used sanitary products

Yeah, but this is apparently an NHS establishment. So there will already be products for dealing with body fluids. So some bastard might make the cleaners crack on.

Original poster
WeShouldBeFriends · 07/02/2019 00:23

I obviously won't leave them on the floor or flush them (I actually mostly use a cup/cloth but was caught short!) I plan on asking but wanted to find out if they have any obligation to provide them first.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 07/02/2019 00:23

You could ask union rep to look into it for you health and safely.

Original poster
WeShouldBeFriends · 07/02/2019 00:24

I mention the trans team leader as I'm aware led to believe on here that some transwomen are triggered by such things reminding them they can't actually menstruate.

OP posts:
Calvinsmam · 07/02/2019 00:27

I mention the trans team leader as I'm aware led to believe on here that some transwomen are triggered by such things reminding them they can't actually menstruate

I think that’s probably very rare and a bridge to cross when you get to it.
If the individual is normally a level headed human being then I imangine they’d be horrified at the though you felt you could just ask ‘where are the bins?’ simply in case you offended them.

Calvinsmam · 07/02/2019 00:28

Sorry, that post was all the typos.

I’m sure you got the gist though.

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