How do I get my co-workers to wash their hands after using the bathroom?

Question

This is a sensitive issue, and frankly it grosses me out. I am one of 2 females at work, with 15 other males. Approximately 50% of them wash their hands, the others don't. (It is obvious, you can hear the toilet flush, and then they open the door, they don't even turn on the tap). Please give me advice on how to get them to wash their hands. I put up a sign in the bathroom saying "All employees must wash hands" and that did not work.

I work in an office, and I don't want to become the Bathroom Nanny, frankly that's not my job. When I spoke to management about this, they offered to speak to the individuals, but if I name names, they will know it is me who said something!

Answer 1

Bring up the subject to your office manager. Maybe during your next staff meeting he/she can bring up the subject. It's unfortunate that some people do not practice proper hygiene at work. They probably don't practice it at home either and may need to be reminded. My mom worked in a restaurant and a waitress got fired for not washing her hands.

Answer 2

You poor thing, I would gag! The fact that you are so close you can hear if they wash their hands is just god awful.

After they touch their penis while peeing they touch:
doorknobs & handles
the office coffee pot
snacks left out for public consumption
the office fridge & any fridge contents
copying machines
fax machines
buttons on the vending/coke machines
telephones
computers/keyboards/laptops
staplers
pens/pencils
on and on and on...

If they're not washing after they pee, you can bet their not washing after the take a crap, either! Most cases of "stomach flu" is from this exact scenario, not washing up after wiping their nasty rear ends and spreading that all over everything. GROSS!!

I would buy Purell hand sanitizer and use it every second of the day if I were you! My god, I'd never put my lunch in the office fridge, drink office coffee or even use a pen that isn't yours from home. Dear god that's so nasty! And I would see about moving your desk away from the bathroom as soon as you can. If that's not possible I would buy a small fan that creates enough white noise to help mask the sound of pigs not washing and it'll help soothe your nerves, too.

The person that suggested calling the Health Department is right on! They will send a public health nurse in for a health lecture so I'd call & see about scheduling some office education. That nurse can also randomly test peoples hands to see if there is urine and cooties on them. Perhaps public humiliation would work?

I'd love to know what type of work you do!

Answer 3

The answer is you can't control them. They only can control themselves but..what you can do is educate them or post a flyer in the bathroom time after time showing the facts on why it's bad to not wash your hands.

However here are some postive things you can also post on the flyer. Then leave it in the bathroom.

Who cares if they know its you.

First, some folks wash their hands, like you, but then they touch the door knob as they walk out of the bathroom. So you are right, the person who didn't wash their hands touch the door knob and so the germs still pass.

So I suggest getting some purel or hand sanitizer and when they come out squirt some in their hands and have them rub their hands together.

You can say WASHING isn't enough and they will like that stuff. It's great and smells great too. We use it before we eat out or go camping etc..

If I worked there and they were not washing their hands I wouldn't give a damn I would tell them that if they don't wash their hands you are reporting them.

Its the moral thing to do and is right to do.

Answer 4

Unless you work in a food service where it's required by law, mind your own business. You're not their momma, as gross as it is, you can't regulate personal hygiene.

Most people that wash their hands don't do a good job of it. They turn the water on, spritz the water a few seconds on their fingeritps and then put their bare hands right back on the faucet they touched with their dirty hands.

Just because you heard the water run, don't assume the hands are clean. Just go ahead and assume they're not washed and protect your OWN hands.

Improper handwashing is the single largest cause of foodborne illness. Simply put you got sick because you ate somebody's poop. If somebody claims the toilet paper keeps their hand clean, show them this little experiment:

Tell them to place in their hand the amount of paper they normally use. Press down for a couple of seconds with a broad tip magic marker. Unravel the toilet paper and they'll get the point.

Keep your hands washed. Never touch faucet or door handles with your bare hands.

Fortunately, most bacteria does not survive long on surfaces - it has to have moisture and "food" to survive. That's the only reason we're not all dead.

By the way, that gel sanitizer probably does more harm than good. Just do some internet search on it's effectiveness.

And wiping down your phone, your desk, your pens, etc. may make you feel safer, but the air you're breathing is carrying just as bacteria.

You can't sterilize the world. You're gonna get sick now and then - it's a fact of life. Just do your part. Wash your hands and if you're sick, stay at home!

Also, do you enjoy listening in on other people's toilet functions?

Answer 5

This is gross. You are affected by this every time you use the restroom because you have to touch the doorknob, toilet handle, and everything that they touched with their pee covered hands. It is the same as putting your hands on their crotch. E. Coli occurs naturally in our bodies in the colon. If they do not wash (especially the females), this is on their hands.

You can get copies of the ‘How to properly wash your hands’ pamphlets and signs from the health department. Hang the signs on the door, the mirror, and over the toilet. Distribute the pamphlets to everyone in the office. If there is a particularly habitual offender, give them multiple copies.

There is also a poster that shows how germy your hands are after using the bathroom. It is really gross. Hanging that in the bathroom may influence people by nauseating them.

Give everyone a basket of soaps and possibly Purrell. You can get cheap baskets and soaps at a dollar store.

If all else fails, stage a silent protest. Start wearing a mask and gloves to work. Carry around a can of Lysol/Clorox and spray the doorknob. Keep a box of gloves on your desk to change out after you use the bathroom because you will still be touching their mess. Stand back from everyone, and do not touch him or her. If they call you the office kook, then simply say that your mother taught you to wash your hands. If you have to take it this far, hopefully your managers will get the hint and have a staff meeting to discuss their laziness and immaturity.

BTW, here is a list of common germs on peoples’ hands that are all spread by touch. Staph, Strep, Salmonella, E. coli, Cold & Flu virus, Rotavirus - the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in children, RSV - the leading cause of lower respiratory infection in children, Athlete's foot fungus, Herpes simplex viruses type 1&2, Hepatitis A


Best of luck.

Answer 6

Well I guess it depends on where you work. If its a restaurant then yeah they have to by law. But if you work in a machine shop like I do they don't really have to. Its pretty gross yeah. Especially if you have a company meeting where they serve food. I never eat at those anymore. Short of telling them to wash their hands you could maybe find some way to get their hands really dirty so they would have to wash them....? I really don't know. You can't make people do that unless you work in an establishment which requires it. Other than that you have to wash your hands. When your done. Use the paper towel to open the door in the bathroom and any other doors you may have to use before getting to your work area or to the parking lot to leave.

Answer 7

Instead of putting up a sign that says they must wash their hands, perhaps you could print out an information sheet on how certain diseases & STDs can be spread through contact with people who don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Do a quick search and you'll find a lot of websites about it. List the links, and let the guys see for themselves what they're exposing themselves to by not promoting hand washing.

Answer 8

This is what we used when I was working at restaurant. The supervisor/manager keep track on times (30min - 1hrs interval) and tell everyone that "It's Time to wash our hands~~!!"
Our manager made it sound really fun and after couple of times it became a natural habit.

It was a restaurant but I think we can still use this method in any work environment. Managers can set a rule and tell every employee about the new rule for health issue. And I'm sure no one will take it too personal. Good Luck^^

Answer 9

In what kind of workplace are you employed? I am asking because if there is a lot of public contact, then hand washing is essential.

Management should say something to the employees. This is a health issue. It effects everyone. Even though your coworkers will know you are the one responsible, you are doing everyone (including them) a favor.

Is it possible to give each employee a hand sanitizer? They can use it at their desks if they don't want to use the sink in the bathroom. Whether or not it used is another matter.

Answer 10

I don't hink you can do much. Another things, people should not turn the water off after washing their hands with their bare hands. They should always use a paper towel.
After a person uses the toilet and take care of their personal
hygeine, they touch the handle to flush, they touch the latch on the stall and then they touch the water hydrant to wash their hands, therefore contaminating it. The water hydrant should be turned off with a paper towel and use a paper towel to open the door when leaving the restroom as some have not washed their hands at all.

Answer 11

I know you don't want the employees to find out you have turned them in but I think it might be the most effective way to stop this behavior. You must remember they will be EMBARRASSED that a WOMAN notices these things and you can work that to your advantage meaning, have the victory over this problem! Gross! You must also remember that you should feel NO SHAME telling these people. They'll feel the shame and it will enact the change you so desire if they are busted.! They won't blame you, they'll blame themselves for being such pigs ! Good Luck and good health! You don't ever need to feel embarrassed to ask someone to do something like this. Say, "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but.." I think most people like to do the right thing. Some just need to be reminded a bit. I am proud of you
for caring about EVERYONE'S health in your workplace. I feel this is a common problem in every workplace and I even find myself reminding WOMEN where I work to not leave the rest room in such a hurry. Kudos to you! If you make a big stink it might really make an impression. Be brave and honest
You are helping not to spread sickness and disease! Literally! If you make take it upon yourself to make this an issue. Don't pass the buck. Good Luck!