Can a workplace lock the toilets and insist we can only go on our break?

Katemaddison

Hi I work in a supermarket (checkout girl) Our supervisor has decided from now on the staff toilets will be locked and we can only go on our breaks.

Sea_Shell

How often are your breaks and do you have any medical reason to need to go more often (or urgently!!)

General_Grant

Katemaddison said:

Hi I work in a supermarket (checkout girl) Our supervisor has decided from now on the staff toilets will be locked and we can only go on our breaks.

And what do your supervisor's supervisors say about this?  What breaks do you have?
(Actually the law is unclear - as long as you can have access during your breaks without undue queuing and those with medical conditions requiring frequent visits are accommodated.)

Katemaddison

No medical condition. Work 8 hour shifts and get a break after 5 hours

[Deleted User]

Sadly I know this used to go on for Warehouse staff.
Public shaming may work - on one of those workplace site reviews and at least put off potential new employees to be.
Personally, myself I've got into a routine where I'll only drink fluids half day and so that helps - in a previous job I wouldn't have any fluids (not the best idea) to avoid the need for the loo.
Could you ask for reasons why new policy? I know in my new job we work through lunch and eat on the go but the supervisor pointed out that any doctors appointments needed in working hours then wouldn't be a problem. Plus working in the #rse end of nowhere means there is no where to go I would even get run over if I wanted to go for a walk! Again I once worked on a massive retail park where it was hidden that lunch time simply wasn't on the menu and no way of negotiating anything in it's place. 

General_Grant

Deleted User said:

Sadly I know this used to go on for Warehouse staff.
Public shaming may work - on one of those workplace site reviews and at least put off potential new employees to be.
Personally, myself I've got into a routine where I'll only drink fluids half day and so that helps - in a previous job I wouldn't have any fluids (not the best idea) to avoid the need for the loo.
Could you ask for reasons why new policy? I know in my new job we work through lunch and eat on the go but the supervisor pointed out that any doctors appointments needed in working hours then wouldn't be a problem. Plus working in the #rse end of nowhere means there is no where to go I would even get run over if I wanted to go for a walk! Again I once worked on a massive retail park where it was hidden that lunch time simply wasn't on the menu and no way of negotiating anything in it's place. 

You are right that it is not a good idea - you'll actually be concentrating the urine which can irritate and make matters worse.

donnajunkie

i always thought it was a legal requirement for a toilet to be available at all times. i guess its a supermarket with no customer toilets?

TELLIT01

It certainly doesn't seem reasonable to me, but that doesn't automatically mean it's breaching employment law.  Can you speak to a senior manager about it?  It's possible the supervisor has taken it on themselves to introduce the rule if they have staff members they believe are skiving by having excessive toilet breaks.  If that is the reason, the supervisor needs to address the problem with the offenders, not punish everybody.  It's important to keep fluid levels up, and there's certainly no way I could go 5 hours if I was consuming the recommended amount of liquid.

Luke4932

for me that is pretty horrible, when you're stuck behind the till and need to use the toilet it can be very uncomfortable and even less knowing that you have to wait for your break, I drink a lot at work so I have to use the toilet not just on my breaks

DCFC79

What would they do if you need the toilet a couple of hours into your shift, just let you do wet yourself, I think that's wrong myself.

I wonder if they have done it because staff abused the time they had for "toilet breaks".
Have you considered getting another job or a second 1 if you only work part time.

superbigal

Check with them what they would do if you peed on your post.  I for one would love to know the supervisors answer.