Delicate Subject

LindaS · August 2008

I have an employee, a teenager, who spends an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. She is in there (in the stall) numerous times throughout the day and each time exceeds 30 minutes. This has been brought to my attention by numerous other employees questioning why she is in there so long. I am not her supervisor but am wondering whether or not I should approach her on this subject or leave it alone.

What do you think?

ray a · August 2008

We have had to address similar type problems. One approach is to comment that she has been observed away from her work area for long periods of time, without mentioning specifically in the ladies room, and see how she responds. Obviously, you want to be careful with ADA issues. You really want to determine if it is legitimate, maybe medically related, or if she is just hiding out.

Paul in Cannon Beach · August 2008

Perhaps she is text messaging her friends?

Dasher · August 2008

If the breaks (bathroom or otherwise) are negatively impacting her work -- and I can not see how it could not be -- then the supervisor should address it with her without hesitation. You do not have an ADA issue unless the employee has told you that she has a medical issue and needs some kind of accommodation. Even then, the employer must decide if the 30 minute breaks are reasonable.

Gee -- 30 minute bathroom breaks numerous times during the day is more than a delicate matter - she may indeed be texting her friends or looking up pornographic sites on the telephone internet, or heaven knows what else -- but she can not be working.

phammond · August 2008

We once had an employee we later learned was burning the candle at both ends (working 2 jobs) and she would go in and catch a 30-minute nap once a day. Her snoring finally gave her away.

Paul in Cannon Beach · August 2008

Well, it is called a "rest room".

Delicate Subject

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