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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:
ilovepixie · 17/02/2018 08:24

Not uk I assume

Sorry your employers are such arseholes

Yes UK.

ilovepixie · 17/02/2018 08:30

Another staff member actually got a formal warning last week for drinking behind the tills.

ShotsFired · 17/02/2018 08:41

I would happily counter-complain if I saw a staff member being denied the permission to have a swig of water! It's outrageous!

It's not like they are doing tequila shots off a colleagues body ffs!

WazFlimFlam · 17/02/2018 08:48

So have you spoken to occupatiinal health OP?

LittleCandle · 17/02/2018 08:49

A previous retail employer tried to stop us having water on the shop floor. We were told by the area manager to go to our break room for a drink. All well and good, except we didn't have a break room or staff room as we were a concession. She had a break room just off the shop floor and could nip off for a cup of tea whenever she wanted. So we by-passed her and went to head office, who were happy for us to have water on the shop floor. My last retail employer didn't like us having water on the shop floor, but we could nip through to the staff room for a quick drink whenever we needed to, or go to the loo. Current employer is happy for us to have water on the shop floor. Going to the loo is slightly different, as we have to close the shop if lone working (which we do a lot of), but there are no restrictions on going to the loo.

Some managers are total wankers and just on a power trip. I have no doubt that some of your colleagues get away with doing stuff that others would get a bollocking for. It does seem that retail can attract some really nasty types. It is worth joining USDAW. What you pay depends on what you earn, so not putting too great a strain on your finances and they will have your back.

IamNotDarling · 17/02/2018 08:54

As an employer they have a duty of care to prevent harm to you as an employee.

Ask if you can see the risk assessment for staff on the shop floor as you would like to see how they the are mitigating the risk of a dry atmosphere to staff’s health.

BertrandRussell · 17/02/2018 08:56

Print off a page about the side effects of the drug you are taking and show it to your manager.

BertrandRussell · 17/02/2018 08:59

Focus on your specific medical need There is plenty of evidence that the need to constantly "rehydrate" is bollocks invented by the bottled water industry so don't go down that route.

sakura06 · 17/02/2018 09:02

You are being treated terribly. I can't believe managers think this behaviour is ok. You should be allowed drinking water regardless of any medical issue. Even more so as you need it for your medication. And the part about being questioned about sanitary products is horrendous. Your managers sound like nasty bullies. Please join a union.

annandale · 17/02/2018 09:04

Agree need for constant rehydration isn't well supported by evidence but dry mouth caused by numerous types of medication (the list is pages long) and medical treatment like radiation is most definitely evidenced. And it's not a small thing, it's horrible.

annandale · 17/02/2018 09:06

I would love it if retailers had to put all their local policy decisions on display at the front of the shop, like a menu. OK most people wouldn't give a shit but they might think twice if they had to publish these things.

BertrandRussell · 17/02/2018 09:16

"Agree need for constant rehydration isn't well supported by evidence but dry mouth caused by numerous types of medication "

Yes-that's why I said the OP should print off the details of the side effects of her drugs to show her manager.

madsiemoomoo · 17/02/2018 09:17

Call your doctor and ask for a telephone consultation, they'll probably just write you a note and leave it for you to collect

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 17/02/2018 09:30

Thats a great idea annandale

My work is very good (as long as its obviously not too busy) but some of my (lovely but hard of thinking) friends are very confused by my inability to have a cup of coffee/tea on the shop floor and to answer my phone or return their texts

My children have been told to ring to the store if there is an emergency ...and no 'can i have a biscuit' is not an emergency

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 17/02/2018 22:18

My friend says she has the same problem in WHS but hides bottles around the shop (not something I can do as watched constantly)

OP posts:
MissEliza · 17/02/2018 22:22

Isn't that a human right? Name and shame! I don't want to give my business to any company that treats employees like that.

sashh · 18/02/2018 07:52

OP I have just had a thought. When I have had to be 'nil by mouth' before an operation I have been given 'swab sticks' , if you took them in with some water they would have a difficult time telling you not to use them, it would be like telling an asmatic they couldn't have their inhaler.

www.medisave.co.uk/pink-oral-swabsticks-pack-of-5.html

You can even get flavoured ones that come in tear open packs.

www.normedica.co.uk/pages/OMS_Blackcurrant_Glycerin_Swabsticks_25_x_3_1116_139689-z=426619&p=48698.cfm

I know you should not have to buy something because of this stupid new rule but might be worth using while you fight.

Violet19 · 18/02/2018 09:59

This is the sort of thing that a doctor would usually write a letter of support about without seeing you. You could ring your doctor's reception and ask them. I agree with other posters though - it's ridiculous that you are not allowed water.

Iprefercoffeetotea · 19/02/2018 12:34

I was going to say the same as Violet - if you call your surgery and speak to the receptionists they might get the GP to call you back or just write a note. They might even accept an email request from you if they are expecting it.

But I'm glad I've never shopped in TK Maxx! Unbelievable. And WH Smith too? Ridiculous. I've worked in a customer facing environment and was allowed to drink while at work. I'm sure customers didn't care as long as I wasn't keeping them waiting while I had a sip of tea!

Uhuhhoney · 19/02/2018 21:31

I would say to them

I need water for a longstanding health condition. It's also a basic human right. Either I bring my water bottle, or I am allowed to go and get a drink when I need it.

BadlyParkedRangeRover · 19/02/2018 21:36

Sjogrens?
How about a small artificial saliva spray in your pocket until you get a doctors note?

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 19/02/2018 21:44

thanks for suggestion Sashh. But no, they don't deserve me to make that sort of effort, and it wouldn't work. I need to take a big gulp about every half hour or so or I really dehydrate and can trigger a bad headache.
Anyway it's taken out of my hands now. Hideous day today, leaving in two weeks (not my choice) . Water didn't even come into it . I have to work two week's notice but if they take my water I won't be, I'll just go. No point getting a doc's note now if I'm going soon.

OP posts:
InternetHoopJumper · 19/02/2018 21:53

Did they fire you?

Anyways, you no longer have a reason to protect them. Raise media hell, I'd say.

Furthermore, document every incident from now untill you leave. Try to take coppies of the policies home with you, so you have evidence of how completely horrible they are.

lightoflaluna · 19/02/2018 21:58

Oh god, when i read this i wondered if you were the woman who had the issue with not being allowed to go to the toilet.

How did that issue end up? Can the manager be reasoned with at all?

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 19/02/2018 22:14

I hope this doesn't out me but I'm too upset to care really right now.
Water was not mentioned. I managed to hide it today, if she did see me on camera, it was not brought up.
I was a temp. At Christmas I had my review (appraisal) which was the best I've ever had in any job. I was asked if I wanted to stay on with them, so after Feb 1st I'd become perm part time staff. I said yes. I signed stuff but didn't have any copies. I realise I made a mistake to not ask for copies. Big big mistake.
I was told what my new hourly rate would be and contracted hours and handed my employee discount card.

Roll onto now. That manager left a few weeks ago and Water Hitler is the new one. I was called into office today and told my contract would be terminated in two weeks (ie I work two weeks notice) ; as a temp I can't be kept on, they are overstaffed, quiet time of year blah blah.
I pointed out that this was a complete shock to me as I'm not a temp now but a perm associate as Feb 1st has passed.
Not true, says the manager. She says there is no evidence of anything that was signed (I'm seriously starting to believe they have destroyed it )
I said that after nearly 3 decades in retail (and most of that being a manager myself) I'd like to know what has gone wrong.. have I made a mistake? Is it me personally? Feedback would be really helpful...she said no not personal and to do with figures/ budgets blah blah...she hands me the standard letter of thanks for your hard work blah blah which lists my leaving date, and says I'm welcome to apply for any future positions. But with a hard as nails face. I mentioned that the last manager was really happy with me and my work and she lost it. She launched into a tirade of anger, slagging him off (so professional!) and telling me ( a lowly temp) all sorts of confidential stuff (for the record, he was a very loved manager - jealousy?) about his leaving etc and that nothing he said means anything now.
Finished by warning me that if I don't work my notice I won't get any reference.
I intend to work my notice if it's drama free as I can't afford not to but if they take my water I'll leave on the spot. There is absolutely no point me trying to get a doctor's note now that I'm leaving. In theory I don't really need a reference from them as could just put on CV that I was a temp and the manager I knew left (not a lie). I do have good references I can use..the ones that got me this job.
I feel sick and shaky and can't stop crying. She was so unpleasant

OP posts: