My employer, who is a very successful one,refuses to allow us to have toilet breaks.?

Question

We were told that visits to the bathroom had to be done during our official breaks.This is very difficult because in a 7 hour shift we only have one half hour.Looking at this from an employment law point of view, are they legally allowed to do this.

Answer 1

DEPENDS. I think you should drink less while you're working.

Answer 2

In the UK, HSE enforces the parts of the law that deal with provision of suitable welfare facilities. But the Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for enforcing how many breaks you get and when.

Do workers have a right to toilet breaks in paid work time?
DTI said: "Not specifically but they are entitled to a 20-minute rest break in any working day that exceeds six hours under the Working Time Regulations."

Can an employer penalise or discipline a worker for taking toilet breaks?
DTI responded: "Only with good reason," adding that workers should have a right to appeal under disciplinary rules.

Can an employer stop wages for time spent on a toilet break?
DTI says "Technically, yes." He added that the action could be challenged at an employment tribunal.

The DTI added that an employer could "not normally" require that an employee only take a toilet break after receiving permission, but added "there are circumstances, perhaps on a production line or furnace environment, where taking a toilet break without permission may put the safety of co-workers as risk."

Answer 3

Legally, Yes

They are allowed to do this as long as they provide you with the minumum break entitlement required under UK law (20 minute break every 6 hours). It could be argued that an employer has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to protect the health, safety and welfare of its employees at work. by not allowing 'resaonable' time to go to the toilet, they could be deemed to be in breach of this, especially if you suffer any 'embarassment' or medical conditions because of this. If you do have a medical condition which means you are required to go to the toilet more often then a medical note from the doctors should suffice, and if your emploter is resaonable they should make allow this.

With regards to taking action against you if you do take toilet breaks, i beleive it would be difficult for them to show a fair resaon for dismissal was that you took too many toillet breaks (as long as you were not taking the preverbial), unless the business would suffer a detriment if you did, especially if you asked permission before hand.

I know in call centres this is common, I beleive that if you have a geniune need to go, communicating to your employer as to ways to allow this would be the best option, but as I said at the beginning legally, they are perfectly entitled to enforce the 'no toilet break policy'

Answer 4

i could get as many human beings as attainable to sign a student petition to get the prepare achieved away with. In a diplomatic way i could tell them that that's unlawful restraint, a criminal can charge and if a individual truthfully have been given as much as bypass to the bathing room and became bodily limited it somewhat is one extra can charge. See if an option answer may well be arrived at. i could additionally recommend that a spirit of cooperation would basically bypass an prolonged way. you recognize regarding the guideline and so bypass to the bathing room in between training, while the thieves are caught the regulations will bypass lower back to the place they have been in the previous. you're in college and you'd be able to omit something substantial whilst interior the bathing room and that i went to college too, even in college some human beings could spend maximum folk of their time interior the bathing room and then not comprehend why they weren't passing.

Answer 5

MY god, some employers are just taking the P**s (sorry, bad joke).

Seriously thoughm they cant do that. If that was said to me i'd just wet the floor and see which they preferred.

If you have a head office, go right to the top and ask for an explanation.

If you dont get it sorted, go to your solicitor - thats prime for a nice compensation pay out!

Answer 6

There are 2 ways to handle this mess yourself OR go to your doctor and get a written note from him stating that you have to have toilet breaks. If your employer gives you any more sh*t(no pun intended ) about this, you have a valid complaint to take action on!

Answer 7

I would say, no. Even the real hardons eg The Japanese let you go as long as you are replaced.
Try taking a leak at your workplace and see if they change their minds.
Or go and see your doc and say that you need the loo every half an hour, and he'll write you a note.

Answer 8

If you got to go to the bathroom, you GO TO GO... even if its not during your breaks.

Sure, they can SAY that, but really, do you think they want you to pee your pants?

I'd tell them "if I can't use the facilities now, you will be cleaning the pee/poop/puke off the floor yourself" in the nicest way possible.

Answer 9

you need to have your area covered. they cannot really do that. but it sounds like you may be a part time employee, so you really get screwed. there is a law called employment at will, which states an employer doesn't really need a reason to fire you. i would say to look for another job.

Answer 10

there are no federal laws on this but each state may have some alws. it depends on your state. contact your local labor dept at your state and inquire of the law there.

Answer 11

wee on the floor + say u were just following orders