UPDATED work place issue

the office building we are in was told there will be no water on the whole street tomorrow.

we are an office of 50 people in a 4 floor building.

this morning, i saw them unloading 8 port-potties for the whole building.


if you were the owner, what would you do?

make your workers go out in the cold, to use a porta-potty, or just suck it up and close for the day?

Update:
so i spent a lot more time than i should have to on thinking about this. in the end, i am so averse to those things, i couldn't bring myself to use them. and since we only have 30 minutes for lunch and no other time to leave, i decided to use my sick day.
i texted the office manager and executive assistant like i always do whenever i have issues in the morning. they usually reply within 15 minutes. today- no reply.
guess i'll see if i'm still employed when i go back tomorrow.

Message edited 10/25/2018 10:10:23 AM.

Re: work place issue

Um close for the day. That's disgusting honestly.

What about washing your hands?

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Re: work place issue

Is working from home a possibility? Are there any nearby stores where you can use the facilities?

work place issue

Is there anywhere nearby you can go to pee? A Starbucks, fast food place, store?

I could probably get by peeing once during my lunch break if I absolutely had to so it wouldn’t be worth calling in sick to me.

Message edited 10/24/2018 9:17:36 AM.

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Re: work place issue

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Re: work place issue

It sucks for sure, but no I wouldn't expect them to close.

It's not that cold out, and I personally don't spend that much time in the bathroom at work anyway. And I can get by with just Purell for a day.

ETA my company would not close, not because of $$$ but because our clients need us to be open, deadlines still need to be met, etc. Forcing a shut down even for a day would inconvenience a lot of people and THAT'S not worth it.

Message edited 10/24/2018 9:29:24 AM.

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work place issue

I would just use the port potty and bring alcohol wipes. Not idea, but I mean, I guess there really isn't another option unless you stay home.

work place issue

My workplace would likely shut down or everyone would work from home.

However, this is the first time I’ve worked someplace other than a hospital and in a hospital it’s suck it up buttercup for obvious reasons (even when you are very clearly a non-essential employee).

work place issue

While not ideal 8 port a potties for 50 people is a good ratio. Hopefully half will just be woman and I would try and go earlier in the day before they get gross. Bring wipes and hand sanitizer. Not my favorite thing to use, just take a deep breath before using and wear pants with easy quick access.

Re: work place issue

In my office they would tell us just to work from home.


I hate porta potties!!! And I don't use them unless I really had no choice. I would not be happy. Are they the blue ones? Those are the worst. However they do make some that are not that bad and actually kind of look like regular bathroom. If its those I wouldn't care as much!

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Close for the day. No water is more then just being able flush a toilet.

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Here is what osha says:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/restrooms_sanitation/

"Employers must maintain restrooms in a sanitary condition. Restrooms must provide hot and cold running water or lukewarm water, hand soap or similar cleansing agent and warm air blowers or individual hand towels (e.g., paper or cloth). Waterless hand cleaner and towels/rags are not adequate substitutes for soap and water."

Message edited 10/24/2018 10:21:56 AM.

Re: work place issue

Re: work place issue

I would either work from home or bring in purell. I don't love portapoties, no one does, but there are nicer ones and yucky ones.

work place issue

I think that is insane they are not closing. This has to be against OSHA rules. I would not go in.

Re: work place issue

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Mags1227

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Katareen

Is there anywhere nearby you can go to pee? A Starbucks, fast food place, store?

I could probably get by peeing once during my lunch break if I absolutely had to so it wouldn’t be worth calling in sick to me.

True. Maybe just try to limit your water/coffee drinking that day.
If I forget to drink water I find I barely pee all day!

nearest star bucks is approx. 5 blocks away. we only get a half hour for lunch though, so i doubt i'd make it there and back.

i leave my house around 7:30 and get back home around 6:15. That's almost 11 hours of no bathroom, which i know i cannot last.

for me, even if i don't drink or eat all day, i will still need to use the bathroom at least 3 times in that time span.

i really hate that $$$ is more important than people.

In my industry we all have the ablilty to work from home so I guarnatee you that is what would happen if it happened here.
We all worked from home for a full month once when we were moving to a new building, had to be out of the old one, but the new space wasn't ready.
We all lived.
The business survived.
Shocking I know!
Do you have the ability to work from home. If so, that would probably have been a good comprise to closing for the day.
Not that it matters at this point, seems they decided to go the porta potty route!

Message edited 10/24/2018 11:46:02 AM.

Re: work place issue

Is it going to just be a one day thing- I mean I get it the office can't afford to close for a day. I don't think for a one day inconvenience OSHA should be involved, some things are out of your employers control and they are trying to bring in adequate facilities.

Re: work place issue

Re: work place issue

If it's a one day thing, they should just close for the day. If it's more than one day, they need to spend the money for the portable bathrooms with the running water. People need to be able to wash their hands throughout the work day. It's the beginning of the flu season.

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Re: work place issue