I went shopping at a retail store today and felt the need to use a restroom. I went to the cashier and asked if they had a restroom, to which she told me that, they did have them near the fitting rooms and a fitting room attendant could open it for me. When i actually went there, the attendant there refused to let me into the restroom, saying the access was only for kids and pregnant woman. I went back to the casheir and told her about the situation. She didnt think it was right andd called the manager. When the manager was called, she told me that last week when they had let customers use the restroom, they ended up messing it up and since then the access was only for kids and pregnant woman. Needless to say, I wasnt allowed to use the restroom. Now is it legal to not allow access? Can the store manager actually make her own rules? I really want to complain about this behaviour, but do not know how to proceed. Any help is appreciated. Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer my ??.
2007-03-21 18:55:11 · 6 answers · asked by cuteasakid 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes. A public restroom is a courtesy not a legal requirement.
2007-03-21 19:01:39 · answer #1 · answered by kwilfort 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about what happened. Legally, they are under no obligation to make their restrooms available to the public..so what the manager did (although completely absurd) was within her rights.
However, the best thing you can do at this point is report this to the corporate offices of the stor you were shopping at. Their information should be online. They will offer you an apology, the sales lady a reprimand, and also may offer you gift cards or store credits to continue shopping at their store.
Good luck!
2007-03-21 19:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by LawyerBarbie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the local and state laws.
Stores up to a certain size are generally not required to provide restroom facilities for their customers, so if they are not legally required to, it's up to the store manager or the store policy.
2007-03-21 19:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As immoral as it is, the store has a right to deny access to any or all parts of its establishment because it is private property. Theoretically, they can have you tresspassed if you travel to parts of the store that you are not supposed to be in. My suggestion is not to shop there again. That is bad business, but its just like you denying someone from using the bathroom in your own home. Sorry. If it were me, i would contact the companies home office and send them a nasty letter. It worked for me, twice, when i have been unhappy with a companies service.
2007-03-21 19:01:50 · answer #4 · answered by Knick101 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a law that forces them to make restrooms available, but it is good customer service. Stop shopping there and write them a letter telling them why you won't be back.
2007-03-21 19:12:56 · answer #5 · answered by Lesley M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whose restroom is it? In other words, if it ain't yours then it belongs to someone else. There is no divine right to use a restroom because you frequent a place of business.
2007-03-21 19:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by dude0795 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋