Bathroom Problems

That heading probably got someone's attention! We have an ongoing issue with ladies disposing of feminine hygeine products in the commode, which after a while causes a major plumbing issue by stopping up the commode.

It happened again yesterday and the building management for our leased office space informed us from now on, we pay the plumber (that seems fair and justified to me!).

Well, of course, the problem is, how can I address this. We have about 200 employees, not all located on the floor where this occurs and probably 75% of our employees are female, so finding out who is doing this seems to be impossible. We have posted signs in the ladies rooms on each floor to dispose of these products properly and not flush.

I am at a loss for how to proceed.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thank you so much.

Carole
«1

Comments

  • 32 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-10-05 AT 09:07AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Really all you can do is post and provide trash receptacles. I would post colorful and eye-catching (laminated or inside those little plastic things that bolt to the door) notices inside each stall door, and include a trash can in each stall. I would go one step further if it continues; the next time their's a commode stop up, close off the bathroom for about two days and post it boldly and brightly on the "closed" sign that "this bathroom is out of order due to the improper disposal of hygiene products in the commode." I would not include any apologies for inconvenience either. The culprits will be inconvenienced, will know who they are, and will remember the inconvience of having to go to another floor the next time they think about flushing rather than tossing.
  • Great advice. Thank you. Such a typically strange HR problem to have!
  • It's refreshing to us brow-beaten guys to know that 'leaving the lid up' is not always the leading contender among commode problems. x:-)
    This one ranks right up there with the fecal artists and what steps can be taken to deal with them.
  • Don, ranks 'up there' or do you mean ranks down there?
  • Don, I always appreciate your responses. They are great.

    I'm probably just lucky, but personally that toilet seat up or down thing just hasn't ever bothered me, if it's not down, I just put it down and take care of business!
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-10-05 AT 11:34AM (CST)[/font][br][br]After begging and pleading to no avail, we put up a camera on the OUTSIDE of the bathroom. It was in full view and quite obvious. The problem stopped. No one but my boss and I knew it was a dummy camera. No film, no pictures.
  • THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO DO!! And everyone thought I was nuts!
  • I fail to see how placing a camera, real or fake, OUTSIDE a bathroom might identify bad actors INSIDE the bathroom. Especially since there are 200 users of the facility and my college survey showed approximately 19% of them to be having a period at any given moment in time. Did you also run these numbers to identify whom among the users were in that shape, which ones were too old and which ones........oh hell, I'll stop. It's lunchtime.
  • My Dear Don: You are trying to micro-analyze a situation that you have absolutely no concept or perception. I believe you are pitifully inadequate to speculate as to the reason my solution to the bathroom problem was successful.

    Honey Bear, in plain English, you have no idea how the female mind functions and I doubt you ever will. Men are not equipped with that kind of ability.
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-10-05 AT 02:43PM (CST)[/font][br][br]I tried hard to come up with an appropriate retort; but, all I can say in response to your comment to me is "You are right". x:-)
  • >[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON
    >02-10-05 AT 02:43 PM (CST)[/font]
    >
    >I tried hard to come up with an appropriate
    >retort; but, all I can say in response to your
    >comment to me is "You are right". x:-)


    Don: What about "yes, dear!"
  • OK. 'Yes Dear', to you both. x:-)
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-10-05 AT 04:27PM (CST)[/font][br][br]Ouch!
  • We have a small service center that had that problem. They locked the doors and had the employees used a key when they had to use the restroom. That helped, but also, since it's a small facility our custodian doesn't go there every day. If the bathroom got dirty, an employee would be assigned to clean it. Their problem stopped.

    Now, at our plant we have people who just seem to "miss" the toilet. How that happens, I don't know. The entrances to the restrooms used to be wide open (you walk around the corner to enter the bathroom) but now our maintenance department has installed door jambs and doors. Once the problem occurs again the locks go on and the doors shut. Anyone wanting to use the restroom will have to request the key from their supervisor.
  • It never ceases to amaze me how absolutely filthy some people can be at work! It makes you wonder how they really live at home.

    The bathroom is the worst offender by far with everything you can imagine and more!

    The kitchen is a close second with stuff spilt all over the counter, coffee pots left to burn in the burner because the last person is too lazy to make another pot and, after all, there is still a thimbleful in the pot! Not to mention the scummy "experiments gone wild" coffee mugs left in the kitchen sink for "mommie" to wash.

    Ugh! I wash out my mug and keep it in my office.

  • O.K. Since this is still out there. I say put a small trash can or something (small bag?) to dispose of the feminine "item" INSIDE the stall if you don't want it going in the toilet. I am as clean as the next person (and yes, I can keep my house clean too) but nothing irritates me more than NOT having any place to dispose of the "Item". Just what are you supposed to do if there is not place to throw it away? Especially when you can't wait any longer!

    I know, I know, I expect to get a lot of criticism. But that is the other side!
  • That is how we handled a similar opportunity awhile back. We put a note on the inside of each stall door instructing ee's to properly dispose of the tems and we placed a small lined trash can in each stall. This seemed to take care of the problem we were having.
  • Yes, I agree. But for devil's advocate - what do you do personally when you are in that situation and there is no trash can?

    No, I don't expect the men to weigh in on this. They don't have the proper perspective!
  • I know what I would NOT do. Is there nothing else you can think to do? Are you that limited with your options? Just thing about It. I can come up with at least a half dozen ways to dispose of this stuff.

    Ask me and I'll tell you.
  • Having read all this, I have one thing to say "Thank heaven for menopause!!!" x:D
  • well, didn't I just ask that in the prior post! And I do know what you would not do, and I suspect I also know how you feel about it. And, no, I'm not limited in my options either. Just wondering what it is you do in that situation? (No trash cans around)
  • Wad it up in lots of TP (that's toilet paper), then carry it to the trash can usually sits near the sink or exit door and toss it.
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-15-05 AT 01:51PM (CST)[/font][br][br]National Guard, you underestimate the male of the species. Some of us don’t need sensitivity training and in fact, some of us are quite sensitive to the issue and have a proper perspective, no need to explain further. In fact, I am sending you a link for your viewing. Items from this site are inexpensive and can be utilized for this issue.
  • Though my husband is one of 5 brothers (no sisters) and had little exposure to the feminine side of things (mom was very private), he learned quickly what was acceptable in OUR home. He keeps the toilets drip-free and our 2 daughters and I keep our girly stuff out of sight. It's worked for many a year now.

    As to the nasty co-workers, I think a simple lined, covered trash recepticle in each stall should help. Keep them emptied and clean though because who wants to touch it if it's not?

    Cheryl C.
  • Before you read this, remember you ASKED for replies.

    At a previous employer, we had this problem, even much much worse than you describe. We tried everything, from the trashcans in the stalls to postings in both english and spanish in case the message was not getting through.

    We finally reached a breaking point, and had to take extreme measures. The bathrooms were kept locked at all times, and a supervisor or manager had to escort people to the bathroom to unlock it. The manager inspected the bathroom before it was used, and after it was used. Golly, what a lot of fun for the managers. This lasted four days, we stopped the policy (after everyone had a chance to get really really upset about it) and never had another problem.

    A juvenile-type solution to a juvenile problem.
  • I love all the interaction I've read as well as a couple of the really good suggestions/options.

    We have and always have had stainless steel trash disposal boxes bolted to each stall. There are signs on the back of each stall door so that when you are in the stall, with the door closed, you have to see them to remind you to dispose of these products as appropriate.

    I love this last idea about locking the door and inspecting before and after!!!!! Though I don't want that duty unless I can also have a rubber hammer to use to really get the point home.

    Thanks to all of you for your always dependable help.

    Carole
  • The ultimate suggestion will now be offered. There has got to be a male manager in the building who you utterly dispise. Wrap this thing up and get into his car and drop it on the back floorboard where his wife will surely discover it. Now sit back for weeks and enjoy the sights. He'll come in the first day with a clothespin on his nose. Then one day he'll appear with a black eye and facial scratches. Then one day he'll come in with divorce papers under his arm.

    As someone said earlier, there are at least a half dozen alternatives to flushing. At least get some mileage out of it! I thought this bunch was more creative than you've shown in this thread.
  • We had the same problem. I sent an email to every female employee. For those who do not have email, I hand delivered a memo stating the problem. In it I described the problem, the cost to have it repaired, and the inconvenience to everyone. I even went on to describe very graphically (sorry, guys) of how it looked when everything bubbled up on the lawn. Then I bought small plastic bags and put packs in all the stalls. So far we haven't had any more problem. Good thing: our bldg/grounds supv says if it happens once more he's going to make every female employee come out and watch the plumber pump it all out!
  • Back during my uniform days in the Army I had a similar situation. My last duty assignment, after having spent years in all-male Airborne Ranger units, was in a Maintenance Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. I suddenly found myself with female subordinates and a whole different ball of wax.

    Without being too graphic, I had two female soldiers living in the barracks who apparently did not dispose of these things in a sanitary nor discreet manner. I had no idea what to do. I attempted "progressive" discipline to no avail. I finally did the only other thing my 23 year old brain could muster. When male soldiers would show-up to formation unshaven, I would have them carry their razor and shaving cream everywhere they went and to every formation for a week. So, I thought the same concept would work for the two female soldiers in question.

    Needless to say, after the second formation of the day, where they both fell in ranks with their "gift packs" in tote, I found myself in the Brigade Commander's carpet standing at the position of attention while SHE and HER Command Sergeant Major read me the riot act then praised me for having the most creative approach to an age-old problem.

    Gene
  • "I would have them carry their razor and shaving cream everywhere they went and to every formation for a week. So, I thought the same concept would work for the two female soldiers in question."

    I'm not sure I grasp the concept of this 'whole new ball of wax'. Did you have them report with a tampon tied around their neck or what? I would think women in the military would be disciplined enough to handle the situation without public recognition.

Sign In or Register to comment.