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Original poster

In a right tizz re: suddenly not allowed water at work

125 replies

alltoomuchrightnow · 16/02/2018 23:05

I've worked for a large retailer's for a few months.
I cleared with them from the beginning, that it would be ok to have a small bottle of water when working (it's either in a cupboard or a basket or tucked away ..depends where I am but near me whether I'm static or moving around) like a few of my colleagues do (or did)

For me it's a vital thing. The meds I'm on , I'm always thirsty. My shifts tend to be around 4.5 - 5 hours which is below the time allowed for a break. So I get anxious enough making one small bottle last a whole shift..I ration it out (not able to refill it) If I can't sip when needed I have a sandpit mouth and can hardly speak . Also it's very hot and dry in the store..a few customers have actually fainted. (but it could be cold and damp and I'd still be parched...)

Today a team leader told me our new manager has banned all water when working. I argued this and was told to get a doctor's note, I'll try and do this but what do I do in the meantime? Doctor might want to see me, appointments take 2-3 weeks to wait for. Doctor doesn't know me so might not just issue without seeing me first (I'm a new patient)
I've just printed off some legal stuff and Case 187 says they can refuse water bottles if they provide staff with drinking water. Well they do but I can only access that about every 5 hours so that's no good to me (I have to sign in and out to take a break... to reach staff kitchen is on a different floor, no drinking water in loos..but then I need water with me all the time anyway)
Im getting myself in a right state. I have anxiety anyway so that doesn't help with dry mouth
For me it's physically painful if I can't drink regularly. I keep it under control by only sipping every now and then, and never in front of a customer. But to have no access..I'm panicking!
Tonight I only did 5 hour shift and came out with thumping headache as one small bottle hadn't been enough. So if they take that from me...
Yes maybe it's my fault for choosing this job but I've always done retail, never an issue. I can't afford to leave if they deny me and I can't physically work if I can't sip when I really need to

OP posts:
cheshiremama89 · 16/02/2018 23:36

Sounds like hof

DextroDependant · 16/02/2018 23:36

How ridiculous. I have no medical issues and would really struggle to last 5 hours without so much as a sip of water.
Don't let this one drop OP.

overnightangel · 16/02/2018 23:38

Children at school have a bottle of water at their desk now, as it recognised how important it is to keep hydrated.
Unless you are a surgeon in a sterile environment there’s no reason you shouldn’t always have a bottle of water close by.
Speak to union . Join asap.
Speak to HR
UNION can’t help in past matter from before you joining but please join ASAP this is ridiculous

DriveInSaturday · 16/02/2018 23:39

They're not treating you like children - imagine the response on here if you wrote that your DC wasn't allowed water in school for 5 hours!

I can't believe the crap that people in retail have to put up with these days. Really can't believe it. In the past couple of weeks I've read about people not being allowed to have their car keys in their pockets, not being allowed to have pockets, consequently not being able to carry tampons and pads but not being allowed enough time to go to their locker and get them before going to the toilet, virtually being strip-searched on going home ... And these threads are always answered by other retail workers saying, 'Of course you're not allowed to have car keys/adequate toilet breaks/access to water/pockets, and the strip-searching is completely normal. And it's always expected that you stay for an extra hour, unpaid, even though that brings you below minimum wage.'

Wtf? Why do we put up with this? How did we let it get like this? Work is supposed to give you dignity, not humiliate you. This is why we need unions.

ReanimatedSGB · 16/02/2018 23:39

Pretty sure you could make a huge big deal about this. if it isn't actually illegal it ought to be.
There are too many companies who are quite content to treat their employees like subhumans who have to be strictly controlled and made miserable...

overnightangel · 16/02/2018 23:40

5 hours with no water isn’t just a workplace grievance it’s a breach of human right let alone working rights

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 16/02/2018 23:40

God, why do some employers treat people like this?! Be bloody angry OP. I'm angry for you.

Do you feel comfortable saying who your employer is OP?

DriveInSaturday · 16/02/2018 23:41

Just noticed all my examples of awful treatment are from your threads!

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 16/02/2018 23:41

I doubt it's simply about electrics, what if a customer or staff member slipped on any water that had been spilt by a member of staff?

It's frig all to do with electrics or slips (mops and wet floor signs are available for all the drinks staff will spill Hmm)

This is a manager on a power trip. Seriously OP get occy health on this. Your manager will soon change their mind about discreet water bottles when occy health suggest regular breaks as the reasonable adjustment. Honestly some managers ate fucking arseholes.

ilovepixie · 16/02/2018 23:42

We aren't allowed to drink in our work either unless on a break.

overnightangel · 16/02/2018 23:42

It’s borderlne ... actually no, it is, abuse, not letting an adult have a drink of water

FattyBoomBoomFatty · 16/02/2018 23:43

@alltoomuchrightnow I don't know what you wear to work, but there are some very slimline Camelbak water carriers. I have one which carries 2l and it'd be fairly well concealed by a loose jumper. That might be worth investigating regardless of an OH input?

sallyandherarmy · 16/02/2018 23:43

It's not Amazon is it?

Are you asking if it is?

Or are you telling that it isn't?

overnightangel · 16/02/2018 23:44

@ilovepixie what work are you in

HermionesRightHook · 16/02/2018 23:45

Echoing all the PPs who've pointed out how unreasonable this is. Your employers are a fucking disgrace and I'd love to know who they are so I can never ever shop there again.

ilovepixie · 16/02/2018 23:45

I work in a petrol station

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 16/02/2018 23:46

drive

And also the really helpful posters that say 'get another job if you dont like it'

StarWarsFanatic · 16/02/2018 23:46

Is the thirst listed as a side effect on your medication? If so could you just show the manager that and see what they say until you can get a doctor's note?

SignOnTheWindow · 16/02/2018 23:46

This is appalling. Who are these tossers? Name and shame!

BabyOrSanta · 16/02/2018 23:46

I thought they legally had to let you have access to water? Not sure where I got that from but it was an argument in letting us have water in our office

BigChocFrenzy · 16/02/2018 23:46

Would regularly denying water for 5 hours during the day be legal for a prisoner in a UK prison ? Confused

dantdmistedious · 16/02/2018 23:50

@sallyandherarmy I'm asking after reading an article last weekend in the Times where there were water stations ridiculously spaced out. Why?

dantdmistedious · 16/02/2018 23:51

Or would you like an extra , for clarification. I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

Sharpstagram · 16/02/2018 23:58

*Sounds like hof
*
GrinGrin sure does, terrible company to work for

LovelyBranches · 17/02/2018 00:00

Usdaw are the union that represents ship workers/retail staff. GMB and Unite are more general unions. I’d have a chat with some people at work and see if anyone else is in a union, bit regardless YOU need to be in one.