Is it legal for your boss to dictate where you poop?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

As in, there are two employee restrooms, and the boss has requested that if you're going to poop, you should use the restroom in the "dirty utility area" because of odor. And if you DO poop in the non-poop bathroom, you'll be "talked to."

Asking for a friend.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Davey Do said:
A gas station!

Speaking of gas, the utility company sent me this advisement card:

1878037493_smellgas.jpg.a986d2e2e5a5caaaf1f8c5900a212fc8.jpg

1 Votes
Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Your boss can legally demand you to do whatever that is not classified as criminal activity.

You, on the other side, can legally leave your workplace at any moment and spread information about a place where one must not work unless he or she faces choice between this and starving on streets. As long as what you said is the truth, it is legal. And it works wonders.

1 Votes

Okay, thanks to a few recent fake posts on Allnurses I have learned to check the name of the poster. I even made a list of posters I know are trolls or agitators.

But Klone! This has to be "fake news". Maybe Allnurses needs a new heading, Fake or True, you decide.

1 Votes

Practically-speaking, it is a reasonable request. It's the idea of policing it and having that conversation that is weird-o.

"Ashley, could you step into my office for a minute? Um, I saw you leaving the area earlier this morning, and right before that I heard the toilet flush. Three times. Was...is there anything you want to tell me?"

Anyway, at work? Never. NEVER. Yeah, it's possible Freud would have a field day...

1 Votes
Here.I.Stand said:
Right -- your boss will think you poop lemon meringue pies, like in the ad! Maybe a copy of "Everybody Poops" as a gift too?? :laugh:

In all seriousness, I don't know about the legality, but really??? The boss is comfortable having this conversation? If anything makes it past the Poo-Pourri, get some bio-odor eliminating spray like we use for patients' poo... which also wafts into the hallway...

Neutralizing spray is an oxymoron.

My hospital used one, and all it did was make the unit smell like someone had crapped on a Christmas tree.

2 Votes
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Klone, here's a link to workplace rules for pooping that may help:

https://www.Youtube.com/collegehumor

1 Votes
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I always just go to radiology. You dont poop where you eat.

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
That Guy said:
You dont poop where you eat.

You got that right, That Guy.

I never poop in the cafeteria.

1 Votes
That Guy said:
I always just go to radiology. You dont poop where you eat.
Davey Do said:
You got that right, That Guy.

I never poop in the cafeteria.

Ahahahahaaa!

1 Votes
Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

poop-spray.jpg.a12d6121433f366f13f395ba59f892b3.jpg

We actually have odor "neutralizing" spray in our employee bathroom. Nope, it does not work.

1 Votes
Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

OSHA standard mandates that "employers allow employees prompt access to bathroom facilities," and that access must be reasonable ( I think something to do with the disabilities act ). So in a way, I would think it is illegal to tell an employee they cannot have a bowel movement at work or only in certain bathrooms. Next will be the no tooting within a certain radius of the nurse desk. Or no belching in the break room. Bodily functions happen and you'd think our bosses, being in healthcare, would understand that.

1 Votes

There probably has been excessive pooping due to overeating gummy bears, and someone complained....

1 Votes
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