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Company Complains About Employee Who Spends 'One Day A Week' On Toilet

Company Complains About Employee Who Spends 'One Day A Week' On Toilet

The complaint was posted to Reddit, where the employer asked for suggestions on how to deal with the situation

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Some people are pretty comfortable in using the toilets at their place of work - others enjoy it a little bit too much and end up spending the majority of their day stuck to the loo.

The latter problem was faced by one employer, to the extent that they turned to Reddit to get some good advice.

PA

Putting the predicament to the r/smallbusiness subreddit, the original poster (OP) said: "We have an employee who is VERY good at his job, but as soon as he gets to work he goes to the toilet and spends about 20 minutes there.

"By the time he's back at his desk and whatnot it's 9:30. Half an hour until he starts.

"Then he goes again anywhere between 2-3 more times during the day. Each for about 20 minutes.

"The FINAL toilet break is half an hour before he finishes and he basically spends the whole time there.

"Each week he's working for 4 days and on the toilet for 1. We're seriously paying him an extra day to sit and s*** and read his phone."

They went on to explain how they don't want to fire the member of staff because he's a 'good guy' and there are no issues with the quality of his work.

In an additional note, they explained that they're based in Australia, where 'strong labour laws' mean it would be 'almost impossible to fire him even if we wanted to'.

PA

Many people suggested to the OP that the employee in question could have a medical condition that means he needs to use the toilet more often that others.

Some added that members of staff who smoke could quite likely go out for just as long.

Replying to the conundrum, one said: "Is he salaried? What do you care if he gets his work done. Entirely possible it's an embarrassing health issue, as well."

Another added: "A LOT of business owners and managers have a bad problem with focusing on trivial s*** just to feel like they 'run a tight ship' when in reality it just builds resentment by making the employees feel like they aren't trusted or respected for their work."

A third suggested: "Either give your employee more work, be satisfied with the work he is completing. Or manage the non-bathroom parts. Create deadlines for projects, check-ins, make them a path.

"I get stressed just thinking about someone counting my bathroom breaks."

Another redditor agreed, telling the OP: "Manage his efficiency and accomplishments, do not manage his time. Amplify and push the goals instead of the hours.

"Everybody works at different rhythms and beats and if you respect that employees will flourish.

"If he is not efficient then he is not the right employee for you. If his time is more important than his accomplishments then you are not the right employer for him."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Viral, Community