Employer questioning my toilet habits

ohreally

goonarmy wrote: »

Its about toilets. What were you expecting?

The issue relates to the appropriatness of managements handling of a work matter, the rest room aspect is secondary.

LittleVoice

BlueDaisy wrote: »

Erm, coming from a completely different angle, but I think under the working time directive you are entitled to a break if your shift is more than 4 hrs? Isn't that why all supermarket checkout operators have 3 and 3 quarter hour shifts??
Wow! No I'm talking rubbish, ignore me.

Rather that say your post could be ignored, you could delete it (and I'd remove this one if you did). The right to a 20-minute break (for someone aged 18+) is where shifts are expected to last more than 6 hours.

That break has to be around the middle of the shift - and hence that is why supermarkets would plan workers having breaks round about the 3 - 4 hour mark.

goonarmy

ohreally wrote: »

The issue relates to the appropriatness of managements handling of a work matter, the rest room aspect is secondary.

No it isn't.

Vereniki

I actually have relevant studies in the subject and I can assure you that any form of discrimination in the workplace is a reason to raise concerns and if the proper procedure is followed the management can get in a heap of trouble over their behaviour. Equality and human rights is something most companies are wary not to be stigmatised for nowadays.

However, I would suggest an informal discussion with your managers first. Be as frank as you are here, explaining how the questioning over your toilet habits has made you concerned that there may be an underlying issue that needs to be discussed. Is there an issue with your performance? Make it clear you are reasonable and only wish to discuss this to ensure there are no issues between yourself and management. You will be able to assess the manager's stance on what is going on if you don't get a straightforward answer. That would at least give you an idea if there is an issue to be concerned about.

By informally acting on this first, you also show that you are willing to keep things civil as your first approach and nobody could accuse you of being overly dramatic. You will show good mettle with your tactful approach. If this approach fails, you can formally (and very calmly) follow official procedures of complaint. Do not do that simply for the sake of fighting back. You need to be as calm and professional about this as you possibly can as any misstep will be used against you.

Working in an environment where you feel disliked is an awful situation. If you exhaust all 'amicable' routes and decide to formally complain you can find guidelines online on where and how to act. Here's a bit of help on the matter. Good luck!

https://www.gov.uk/equality-advisory-support-service

chainsaw

Many employees are or feel intimidation when asked questions by their employer. They know this but at the end of the day they have just asked a question.

Don't be intimidated.