Unite calls for respect for toilet breaks

Too many workers are facing difficulty getting a toilet break at work, research by Unite has found. The union, which has launched a national toilet breaks campaign, says mobile workers, for example delivery drivers, can be particularly badly affected. But it says problems have been encountered in diverse workplaces from offices, to aircraft to factories. According to Unite, poor management practices can be as big an issue as a lack of adequate facilities. It cites examples of workers being required to put up their hands to request permission to go or having their pay stopped while they take a break. Women can face additional problems, the union notes, with many male-dominated workplaces like bus garages failing to provide designated facilities for women. Unite warns that a lack of access to welfare facilities is bad for workers’ health, linked to serious, chronic health problems, and can affect concentration. It has published a 10-point action checklist for Unite safety reps, with recommendations including that toilet and washing facilities form part of regular safety inspections, members be encouraged to report problems and ensuring that agreements and health and safety policies provide for paid rest breaks, toilet breaks, provision of suitable welfare facilities and easy access to them during the working day. Unite says safety reps should also work with Unite equality reps “to ensure that you have covered all the issues of concern raised by members.”

Unite toilet breaks campaign.