Toilet break trouble

Date: 30 June 2010

Being denied access to the toilet when you need it can have significant consequences for people's health, as well as hygiene, privacy and dignity at work.

New research published by the Labour Research Department (LRD), found many British workers are suffering because of inadequate toilet facilities and restrictive toilet break rules.

LRD surveyed unionised workplaces and found that the transport sector was particularly badly affected and while most office workers did not experience problems, there were still some areas - for example call centres - where restrictive practices and surveillance meant that workers could be penalised for taking time off to go to the loo.

“For most workers, toilet breaks are not an issue: they go when they need to and that's that, “But for some, it’s not so simple, and the consequences can be unpleasant, unhealthy and humiliating."

Facilities can also be poor, in one of the worst examples caretakers at a housing association had access only to a bucket in a damp washroom area.

Regulations covering toilets are contained within the Workplace (Health, safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which can be downloaded free at;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l24.pdf