Manager has noticed coworker's excessive breaks. Should I warn him?












27















A junior coworker of mine takes very long breaks every day. I've timed them; he makes hour-long visits to the restroom every day. He is paid by the hour, leaves after 8 hours, and is not allowed to work from home, so I know he's not making the time up. He usually doesn't finish his work on time.



I've gone a long time not discussing this with him, but I'm now wondering if I should bring it up. (If it were me, I'd want a coworker to warn me.) He spends all this time in the restroom and there aren't enough stalls for this to not be a problem, so people are grumbling. I overheard his manager complain he's never at his desk and somebody told him where he spends all that time, so it's been noticed.



I've casually mentioned to him before how he should try to limit his breaks, without saying more, but he didn't really pay attention to me. Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him? One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager. But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him. What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?










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  • 190





    Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

    – R..
    15 hours ago






  • 27





    Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

    – Seth R
    15 hours ago






  • 29





    I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

    – Martin Bonner
    10 hours ago






  • 14





    @MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

    – Solar Mike
    9 hours ago






  • 40





    Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

    – l0b0
    9 hours ago


















27















A junior coworker of mine takes very long breaks every day. I've timed them; he makes hour-long visits to the restroom every day. He is paid by the hour, leaves after 8 hours, and is not allowed to work from home, so I know he's not making the time up. He usually doesn't finish his work on time.



I've gone a long time not discussing this with him, but I'm now wondering if I should bring it up. (If it were me, I'd want a coworker to warn me.) He spends all this time in the restroom and there aren't enough stalls for this to not be a problem, so people are grumbling. I overheard his manager complain he's never at his desk and somebody told him where he spends all that time, so it's been noticed.



I've casually mentioned to him before how he should try to limit his breaks, without saying more, but he didn't really pay attention to me. Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him? One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager. But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him. What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?










share|improve this question









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  • 190





    Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

    – R..
    15 hours ago






  • 27





    Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

    – Seth R
    15 hours ago






  • 29





    I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

    – Martin Bonner
    10 hours ago






  • 14





    @MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

    – Solar Mike
    9 hours ago






  • 40





    Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

    – l0b0
    9 hours ago
















27












27








27


9






A junior coworker of mine takes very long breaks every day. I've timed them; he makes hour-long visits to the restroom every day. He is paid by the hour, leaves after 8 hours, and is not allowed to work from home, so I know he's not making the time up. He usually doesn't finish his work on time.



I've gone a long time not discussing this with him, but I'm now wondering if I should bring it up. (If it were me, I'd want a coworker to warn me.) He spends all this time in the restroom and there aren't enough stalls for this to not be a problem, so people are grumbling. I overheard his manager complain he's never at his desk and somebody told him where he spends all that time, so it's been noticed.



I've casually mentioned to him before how he should try to limit his breaks, without saying more, but he didn't really pay attention to me. Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him? One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager. But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him. What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Uli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












A junior coworker of mine takes very long breaks every day. I've timed them; he makes hour-long visits to the restroom every day. He is paid by the hour, leaves after 8 hours, and is not allowed to work from home, so I know he's not making the time up. He usually doesn't finish his work on time.



I've gone a long time not discussing this with him, but I'm now wondering if I should bring it up. (If it were me, I'd want a coworker to warn me.) He spends all this time in the restroom and there aren't enough stalls for this to not be a problem, so people are grumbling. I overheard his manager complain he's never at his desk and somebody told him where he spends all that time, so it's been noticed.



I've casually mentioned to him before how he should try to limit his breaks, without saying more, but he didn't really pay attention to me. Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him? One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager. But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him. What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?







professionalism colleagues






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share|improve this question




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edited 1 min ago









Monica Cellio

46.4k19117201




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asked 19 hours ago









UliUli

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  • 190





    Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

    – R..
    15 hours ago






  • 27





    Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

    – Seth R
    15 hours ago






  • 29





    I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

    – Martin Bonner
    10 hours ago






  • 14





    @MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

    – Solar Mike
    9 hours ago






  • 40





    Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

    – l0b0
    9 hours ago
















  • 190





    Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

    – R..
    15 hours ago






  • 27





    Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

    – Seth R
    15 hours ago






  • 29





    I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

    – Martin Bonner
    10 hours ago






  • 14





    @MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

    – Solar Mike
    9 hours ago






  • 40





    Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

    – l0b0
    9 hours ago










190




190





Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

– R..
15 hours ago





Didn't we see the other side of this question a few weeks ago, from an employee who was upset that a creepy coworker was recording how much time he spent in the bathroom?

– R..
15 hours ago




27




27





Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

– Seth R
15 hours ago





Are you sure that Hans doesn't have some medical issue he is taking care of that requires these breaks? Also, how does this concern you?

– Seth R
15 hours ago




29




29





I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

– Martin Bonner
10 hours ago





I don't think the edit is an improvement. In particular, it invalidates the highest voted answer.

– Martin Bonner
10 hours ago




14




14





@MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

– Solar Mike
9 hours ago





@MonicaCelio Why have you removed from the original question so much that has been covered in the top-voted answer - editing is a skill...

– Solar Mike
9 hours ago




40




40





Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

– l0b0
9 hours ago







Flagged to revert. The edit completely changes the tone of the question, which is crucial to how it should be (and was) answered.

– l0b0
9 hours ago












6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















247















I can't believe I'm needing to even ask this question




You didn't.




A junior coworker of mine (lets call him Hans) is pretty immature. Hans will spend over an hour at a time going to the bathroom every day




Not sure what going to the bathroom has to do with maturity? Perhaps Hans has a medical condition. What business is that of yours? Is Hans really the immature one?




And if you're wondering, yes, I timed it.




Stop doing that, right now.




Now I notice it every day when he's in the bathroom.




Mind your own business, and focus on your own work.




He also usually doesn't finish his work on time.




Unless you're Hans's manager, this is — once again — none of your business.




I'm now wondering if I should bring it up




No.




I've casually mentioned to Hans before how he should try to limit his breaks (without mentioning I know how much time he spends in the bathroom), but he didn't really pay attention to me.




Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment. Don't do that again.




Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him?




No.




One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager.




No. Only your manager should be discussing things like this with him.




But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him.




Good, don't.




What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?




Stopping literally everything you're doing about it at the moment.



Get on with your work.






share|improve this answer



















  • 10





    Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

    – Matthew Barber
    14 hours ago






  • 7





    @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

    – alephzero
    5 hours ago






  • 7





    "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

    – Demonblack
    4 hours ago








  • 16





    @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

    – Anoplexian
    3 hours ago








  • 16





    @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    3 hours ago





















33














Your manager is (I hope) trained on how to have these embarrassing conversations and how to suggest a change in behavior or accommodate a medical situation. You are not trained (imagine if he suddenly revealed medical details to you) and have no authority to offer accommodations or demand a change of ways. Leave the managing to the manager and cheer up your coworker afterwards if he is left upset by the conversation.



You've mentioned it once. Chances are others have too. At this point, the situation is not going to change due to coworker nudges.






share|improve this answer

































    18














    You have already warned him and it appears he has ignored you.



    If you warn him again, then the manager talks to him - he may associate that as your fault and be annoyed at you.



    I had a similar situation about a more serious issue and warned a colleague ... who did not listen, eventually management fired him...



    You have been a friend and told him, stay out of it now.






    share|improve this answer































      16














      Maybe give him a friendly heads up that you overheard the manager talking about it, but keep the emphasis on friendly. Generally speaking, the bathroom habits of your colleagues are none of your business so put the emphasis on him being away from the desk without bringing up the toilet.



      It's worth bearing in mind that there are medical conditions that require spending an above-average amount of time on the toilet, and the people who suffer from them generally don't want to talk about them.



      Whatever you do, don't let him know that you've been timing his breaks. That'll just make you come over like a creepy stalker and you could find yourself being the one on the receiving end of a warning over it.






      share|improve this answer
























      • +1 for mentioning "creepy."

        – Kent A.
        16 hours ago






      • 18





        Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        16 hours ago






      • 2





        @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

        – Harper
        16 hours ago








      • 6





        You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

        – Matthew Barber
        14 hours ago






      • 2





        You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

        – alephzero
        5 hours ago





















      10














      First, this is potentially an issue with ADA, Unruh or your jurisdiction's equivalent laws that protect persons with disabilities or medical conditions. As such, anything remotely related to medical or disabilities must be handled in compliance with relevant laws and with the utmost sensitivity.



      What's more, there are things you may not know, that you should not know, or may not be allowed to know. If you had a horrible injury or disease that required you to spend an hour a day giving yourself injections or dealing with a colostomy bag or doing infusion or dialysis or something, you might be really private about it and really wouldn't want your privacy invaded by your coworkers. So pause to realize that invading his privacy, itself, is a grave violence against him.



      It is possible that the employee has already disclosed this to HR, and the issue is understood by them, and you didn't get the memo because you don't have any right.



      On the other hand, maybe he's in there playing Candy Crush, but ADA is such a legal minefield that you must assume worst case.



      So let's be clear on this point: the topic of bathroom activity is 110% totally out of bounds here. You cannot raise his absence issue in any way which could possibly relate to his use of the bathroom. Since you believe you know where he goes, do not ask him where he goes. That can come to no good.



      That said, two things are fair game.



      First, you can state concern about his frequent absences, assuming that you have no earthly idea where he goes. In fact, telling him "the boss was looking for you, and he's annoyed to not find you" is a decent "watching your bro's back" thing that I recommend.



      Second, you can use all the standard/normal methods to deal with the anonymous individual hogging the stall. General protocols are first, immediately make your presence known by pulling on the locked door audibly (but don't overpower a stall's latch, obviously). Then after about 10 seconds, knock; that puts the person on notice to wrap up. Proper response is "just a sec" and quick wrap-up. Then every minute or so, knock more firmly and say "Come on!" Or other statements expressing urgency with ever-increasing obnoxiousness. Nobody has a right to tie up a stall for 20 minutes, so it's "gloves off" when dealing through the door with this anonymous person. If there's no response after 5 minutes, presume medical emergency and get a supervisor with a key.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 2





        what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

        – Pac0
        14 hours ago








      • 1





        @pac0 links added.

        – Harper
        14 hours ago











      • @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

        – alephzero
        5 hours ago






      • 2





        Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

        – VLAZ
        2 hours ago






      • 2





        The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

        – StephenG
        1 hour ago



















      6














      This is ultimately a "nunya" situation; nunya funkin' business. Is this really how you wish to learn about a co-worker's private medical condition of which you have no right to know about?



      If you have an issue with bathroom wait times then complain about bathroom wait times.



      If you have an issue with working with someone who is never at their desk then complain that you can never find person xyz when you need them.



      If this person is truly unaware that their hour-long bathroom breaks are causing an issue then they will be informed by the appropriate individual when the time comes. If they are already aware and they continue with the behavior then you should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they need to do what they are doing.






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        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes








        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        247















        I can't believe I'm needing to even ask this question




        You didn't.




        A junior coworker of mine (lets call him Hans) is pretty immature. Hans will spend over an hour at a time going to the bathroom every day




        Not sure what going to the bathroom has to do with maturity? Perhaps Hans has a medical condition. What business is that of yours? Is Hans really the immature one?




        And if you're wondering, yes, I timed it.




        Stop doing that, right now.




        Now I notice it every day when he's in the bathroom.




        Mind your own business, and focus on your own work.




        He also usually doesn't finish his work on time.




        Unless you're Hans's manager, this is — once again — none of your business.




        I'm now wondering if I should bring it up




        No.




        I've casually mentioned to Hans before how he should try to limit his breaks (without mentioning I know how much time he spends in the bathroom), but he didn't really pay attention to me.




        Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment. Don't do that again.




        Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him?




        No.




        One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager.




        No. Only your manager should be discussing things like this with him.




        But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him.




        Good, don't.




        What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?




        Stopping literally everything you're doing about it at the moment.



        Get on with your work.






        share|improve this answer



















        • 10





          Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

          – Matthew Barber
          14 hours ago






        • 7





          @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

          – alephzero
          5 hours ago






        • 7





          "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

          – Demonblack
          4 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

          – Anoplexian
          3 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          3 hours ago


















        247















        I can't believe I'm needing to even ask this question




        You didn't.




        A junior coworker of mine (lets call him Hans) is pretty immature. Hans will spend over an hour at a time going to the bathroom every day




        Not sure what going to the bathroom has to do with maturity? Perhaps Hans has a medical condition. What business is that of yours? Is Hans really the immature one?




        And if you're wondering, yes, I timed it.




        Stop doing that, right now.




        Now I notice it every day when he's in the bathroom.




        Mind your own business, and focus on your own work.




        He also usually doesn't finish his work on time.




        Unless you're Hans's manager, this is — once again — none of your business.




        I'm now wondering if I should bring it up




        No.




        I've casually mentioned to Hans before how he should try to limit his breaks (without mentioning I know how much time he spends in the bathroom), but he didn't really pay attention to me.




        Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment. Don't do that again.




        Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him?




        No.




        One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager.




        No. Only your manager should be discussing things like this with him.




        But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him.




        Good, don't.




        What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?




        Stopping literally everything you're doing about it at the moment.



        Get on with your work.






        share|improve this answer



















        • 10





          Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

          – Matthew Barber
          14 hours ago






        • 7





          @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

          – alephzero
          5 hours ago






        • 7





          "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

          – Demonblack
          4 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

          – Anoplexian
          3 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          3 hours ago
















        247












        247








        247








        I can't believe I'm needing to even ask this question




        You didn't.




        A junior coworker of mine (lets call him Hans) is pretty immature. Hans will spend over an hour at a time going to the bathroom every day




        Not sure what going to the bathroom has to do with maturity? Perhaps Hans has a medical condition. What business is that of yours? Is Hans really the immature one?




        And if you're wondering, yes, I timed it.




        Stop doing that, right now.




        Now I notice it every day when he's in the bathroom.




        Mind your own business, and focus on your own work.




        He also usually doesn't finish his work on time.




        Unless you're Hans's manager, this is — once again — none of your business.




        I'm now wondering if I should bring it up




        No.




        I've casually mentioned to Hans before how he should try to limit his breaks (without mentioning I know how much time he spends in the bathroom), but he didn't really pay attention to me.




        Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment. Don't do that again.




        Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him?




        No.




        One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager.




        No. Only your manager should be discussing things like this with him.




        But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him.




        Good, don't.




        What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?




        Stopping literally everything you're doing about it at the moment.



        Get on with your work.






        share|improve this answer














        I can't believe I'm needing to even ask this question




        You didn't.




        A junior coworker of mine (lets call him Hans) is pretty immature. Hans will spend over an hour at a time going to the bathroom every day




        Not sure what going to the bathroom has to do with maturity? Perhaps Hans has a medical condition. What business is that of yours? Is Hans really the immature one?




        And if you're wondering, yes, I timed it.




        Stop doing that, right now.




        Now I notice it every day when he's in the bathroom.




        Mind your own business, and focus on your own work.




        He also usually doesn't finish his work on time.




        Unless you're Hans's manager, this is — once again — none of your business.




        I'm now wondering if I should bring it up




        No.




        I've casually mentioned to Hans before how he should try to limit his breaks (without mentioning I know how much time he spends in the bathroom), but he didn't really pay attention to me.




        Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment. Don't do that again.




        Is it appropriate for me to be blunt and bring this up to him?




        No.




        One on hand, it would be better if he heard it from me before he got chewed out from my manager.




        No. Only your manager should be discussing things like this with him.




        But on the other hand, I really don't want to have this awkward conversation with him.




        Good, don't.




        What is the professional thing to do in this circumstance?




        Stopping literally everything you're doing about it at the moment.



        Get on with your work.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 15 hours ago









        Lightness Races in OrbitLightness Races in Orbit

        8,56431837




        8,56431837








        • 10





          Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

          – Matthew Barber
          14 hours ago






        • 7





          @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

          – alephzero
          5 hours ago






        • 7





          "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

          – Demonblack
          4 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

          – Anoplexian
          3 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          3 hours ago
















        • 10





          Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

          – Matthew Barber
          14 hours ago






        • 7





          @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

          – alephzero
          5 hours ago






        • 7





          "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

          – Demonblack
          4 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

          – Anoplexian
          3 hours ago








        • 16





          @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          3 hours ago










        10




        10





        Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

        – Matthew Barber
        14 hours ago





        Pretty much the same as my answer, but you put it so much better. +1

        – Matthew Barber
        14 hours ago




        7




        7





        @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

        – alephzero
        5 hours ago





        @Taemyr There are plenty of employees who "don't finish their work on time" who don't behave like this guy. If somebody else being unproductive affects the OP's work, that is a management problem. It's not the OP's job to fix it.

        – alephzero
        5 hours ago




        7




        7





        "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

        – Demonblack
        4 hours ago







        "Of course he didn't. You're lucky he didn't report you for harassment." If you worked for me, with that attitude you'd have been out the door after half an hour. Nobody needs or wants a toxic "omg he's harassing me!!!!1" crybaby in their team.

        – Demonblack
        4 hours ago






        16




        16





        @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

        – Anoplexian
        3 hours ago







        @Demonblack So let me clarify, you'd rather be hit with a lawsuit on harassment because someone timed the bathroom breaks of another employee, than have the employee come to you with that information and avoid that? Management is usually responsible for risk management, not creation.

        – Anoplexian
        3 hours ago






        16




        16





        @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        3 hours ago







        @Demonblack So if someone is being harassed, they're a "crybaby" and you'd fire them within half an hour? Nice management skills there. See you in court, pal! (within half an hour)

        – Lightness Races in Orbit
        3 hours ago















        33














        Your manager is (I hope) trained on how to have these embarrassing conversations and how to suggest a change in behavior or accommodate a medical situation. You are not trained (imagine if he suddenly revealed medical details to you) and have no authority to offer accommodations or demand a change of ways. Leave the managing to the manager and cheer up your coworker afterwards if he is left upset by the conversation.



        You've mentioned it once. Chances are others have too. At this point, the situation is not going to change due to coworker nudges.






        share|improve this answer






























          33














          Your manager is (I hope) trained on how to have these embarrassing conversations and how to suggest a change in behavior or accommodate a medical situation. You are not trained (imagine if he suddenly revealed medical details to you) and have no authority to offer accommodations or demand a change of ways. Leave the managing to the manager and cheer up your coworker afterwards if he is left upset by the conversation.



          You've mentioned it once. Chances are others have too. At this point, the situation is not going to change due to coworker nudges.






          share|improve this answer




























            33












            33








            33







            Your manager is (I hope) trained on how to have these embarrassing conversations and how to suggest a change in behavior or accommodate a medical situation. You are not trained (imagine if he suddenly revealed medical details to you) and have no authority to offer accommodations or demand a change of ways. Leave the managing to the manager and cheer up your coworker afterwards if he is left upset by the conversation.



            You've mentioned it once. Chances are others have too. At this point, the situation is not going to change due to coworker nudges.






            share|improve this answer















            Your manager is (I hope) trained on how to have these embarrassing conversations and how to suggest a change in behavior or accommodate a medical situation. You are not trained (imagine if he suddenly revealed medical details to you) and have no authority to offer accommodations or demand a change of ways. Leave the managing to the manager and cheer up your coworker afterwards if he is left upset by the conversation.



            You've mentioned it once. Chances are others have too. At this point, the situation is not going to change due to coworker nudges.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 16 hours ago

























            answered 18 hours ago









            Kate GregoryKate Gregory

            109k43238342




            109k43238342























                18














                You have already warned him and it appears he has ignored you.



                If you warn him again, then the manager talks to him - he may associate that as your fault and be annoyed at you.



                I had a similar situation about a more serious issue and warned a colleague ... who did not listen, eventually management fired him...



                You have been a friend and told him, stay out of it now.






                share|improve this answer




























                  18














                  You have already warned him and it appears he has ignored you.



                  If you warn him again, then the manager talks to him - he may associate that as your fault and be annoyed at you.



                  I had a similar situation about a more serious issue and warned a colleague ... who did not listen, eventually management fired him...



                  You have been a friend and told him, stay out of it now.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    18












                    18








                    18







                    You have already warned him and it appears he has ignored you.



                    If you warn him again, then the manager talks to him - he may associate that as your fault and be annoyed at you.



                    I had a similar situation about a more serious issue and warned a colleague ... who did not listen, eventually management fired him...



                    You have been a friend and told him, stay out of it now.






                    share|improve this answer













                    You have already warned him and it appears he has ignored you.



                    If you warn him again, then the manager talks to him - he may associate that as your fault and be annoyed at you.



                    I had a similar situation about a more serious issue and warned a colleague ... who did not listen, eventually management fired him...



                    You have been a friend and told him, stay out of it now.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 19 hours ago









                    Solar MikeSolar Mike

                    60419




                    60419























                        16














                        Maybe give him a friendly heads up that you overheard the manager talking about it, but keep the emphasis on friendly. Generally speaking, the bathroom habits of your colleagues are none of your business so put the emphasis on him being away from the desk without bringing up the toilet.



                        It's worth bearing in mind that there are medical conditions that require spending an above-average amount of time on the toilet, and the people who suffer from them generally don't want to talk about them.



                        Whatever you do, don't let him know that you've been timing his breaks. That'll just make you come over like a creepy stalker and you could find yourself being the one on the receiving end of a warning over it.






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                          – Kent A.
                          16 hours ago






                        • 18





                          Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                          – Lightness Races in Orbit
                          16 hours ago






                        • 2





                          @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                          – Harper
                          16 hours ago








                        • 6





                          You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                          – Matthew Barber
                          14 hours ago






                        • 2





                          You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago


















                        16














                        Maybe give him a friendly heads up that you overheard the manager talking about it, but keep the emphasis on friendly. Generally speaking, the bathroom habits of your colleagues are none of your business so put the emphasis on him being away from the desk without bringing up the toilet.



                        It's worth bearing in mind that there are medical conditions that require spending an above-average amount of time on the toilet, and the people who suffer from them generally don't want to talk about them.



                        Whatever you do, don't let him know that you've been timing his breaks. That'll just make you come over like a creepy stalker and you could find yourself being the one on the receiving end of a warning over it.






                        share|improve this answer
























                        • +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                          – Kent A.
                          16 hours ago






                        • 18





                          Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                          – Lightness Races in Orbit
                          16 hours ago






                        • 2





                          @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                          – Harper
                          16 hours ago








                        • 6





                          You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                          – Matthew Barber
                          14 hours ago






                        • 2





                          You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago
















                        16












                        16








                        16







                        Maybe give him a friendly heads up that you overheard the manager talking about it, but keep the emphasis on friendly. Generally speaking, the bathroom habits of your colleagues are none of your business so put the emphasis on him being away from the desk without bringing up the toilet.



                        It's worth bearing in mind that there are medical conditions that require spending an above-average amount of time on the toilet, and the people who suffer from them generally don't want to talk about them.



                        Whatever you do, don't let him know that you've been timing his breaks. That'll just make you come over like a creepy stalker and you could find yourself being the one on the receiving end of a warning over it.






                        share|improve this answer













                        Maybe give him a friendly heads up that you overheard the manager talking about it, but keep the emphasis on friendly. Generally speaking, the bathroom habits of your colleagues are none of your business so put the emphasis on him being away from the desk without bringing up the toilet.



                        It's worth bearing in mind that there are medical conditions that require spending an above-average amount of time on the toilet, and the people who suffer from them generally don't want to talk about them.



                        Whatever you do, don't let him know that you've been timing his breaks. That'll just make you come over like a creepy stalker and you could find yourself being the one on the receiving end of a warning over it.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered 18 hours ago









                        Matthew BarberMatthew Barber

                        1,1402213




                        1,1402213













                        • +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                          – Kent A.
                          16 hours ago






                        • 18





                          Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                          – Lightness Races in Orbit
                          16 hours ago






                        • 2





                          @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                          – Harper
                          16 hours ago








                        • 6





                          You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                          – Matthew Barber
                          14 hours ago






                        • 2





                          You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago





















                        • +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                          – Kent A.
                          16 hours ago






                        • 18





                          Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                          – Lightness Races in Orbit
                          16 hours ago






                        • 2





                          @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                          – Harper
                          16 hours ago








                        • 6





                          You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                          – Matthew Barber
                          14 hours ago






                        • 2





                          You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago



















                        +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                        – Kent A.
                        16 hours ago





                        +1 for mentioning "creepy."

                        – Kent A.
                        16 hours ago




                        18




                        18





                        Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                        – Lightness Races in Orbit
                        16 hours ago





                        Indeed. Someone was on here a few weeks ago complaining about a total weirdo who kept track of bathroom breaks. Wondering whether there's a connection. I'm also wondering whether both posts are an elaborate troll of some kind...

                        – Lightness Races in Orbit
                        16 hours ago




                        2




                        2





                        @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                        – Harper
                        16 hours ago







                        @LightnessRacesinOrbit indeed, I wonder if they are in the same office. To add to the answer, if that bathroom reason is any kind of disability, that is an area of law where one should not bungle around carelessly.

                        – Harper
                        16 hours ago






                        6




                        6





                        You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                        – Matthew Barber
                        14 hours ago





                        You might say that you should wash your hands of the matter and move on. :)

                        – Matthew Barber
                        14 hours ago




                        2




                        2





                        You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                        – alephzero
                        5 hours ago







                        You might also question whether only one stall for "a fair sized office" complies with the relevant health and safety at work regulations. The fact that another one "is currently being built" doesn't change that situation. In the UK, the maximum number of employees in a workplace with only a "single stall" is five - which doesn't sound like "a fair sized office" to me.

                        – alephzero
                        5 hours ago













                        10














                        First, this is potentially an issue with ADA, Unruh or your jurisdiction's equivalent laws that protect persons with disabilities or medical conditions. As such, anything remotely related to medical or disabilities must be handled in compliance with relevant laws and with the utmost sensitivity.



                        What's more, there are things you may not know, that you should not know, or may not be allowed to know. If you had a horrible injury or disease that required you to spend an hour a day giving yourself injections or dealing with a colostomy bag or doing infusion or dialysis or something, you might be really private about it and really wouldn't want your privacy invaded by your coworkers. So pause to realize that invading his privacy, itself, is a grave violence against him.



                        It is possible that the employee has already disclosed this to HR, and the issue is understood by them, and you didn't get the memo because you don't have any right.



                        On the other hand, maybe he's in there playing Candy Crush, but ADA is such a legal minefield that you must assume worst case.



                        So let's be clear on this point: the topic of bathroom activity is 110% totally out of bounds here. You cannot raise his absence issue in any way which could possibly relate to his use of the bathroom. Since you believe you know where he goes, do not ask him where he goes. That can come to no good.



                        That said, two things are fair game.



                        First, you can state concern about his frequent absences, assuming that you have no earthly idea where he goes. In fact, telling him "the boss was looking for you, and he's annoyed to not find you" is a decent "watching your bro's back" thing that I recommend.



                        Second, you can use all the standard/normal methods to deal with the anonymous individual hogging the stall. General protocols are first, immediately make your presence known by pulling on the locked door audibly (but don't overpower a stall's latch, obviously). Then after about 10 seconds, knock; that puts the person on notice to wrap up. Proper response is "just a sec" and quick wrap-up. Then every minute or so, knock more firmly and say "Come on!" Or other statements expressing urgency with ever-increasing obnoxiousness. Nobody has a right to tie up a stall for 20 minutes, so it's "gloves off" when dealing through the door with this anonymous person. If there's no response after 5 minutes, presume medical emergency and get a supervisor with a key.






                        share|improve this answer





















                        • 2





                          what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                          – Pac0
                          14 hours ago








                        • 1





                          @pac0 links added.

                          – Harper
                          14 hours ago











                        • @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago






                        • 2





                          Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                          – VLAZ
                          2 hours ago






                        • 2





                          The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                          – StephenG
                          1 hour ago
















                        10














                        First, this is potentially an issue with ADA, Unruh or your jurisdiction's equivalent laws that protect persons with disabilities or medical conditions. As such, anything remotely related to medical or disabilities must be handled in compliance with relevant laws and with the utmost sensitivity.



                        What's more, there are things you may not know, that you should not know, or may not be allowed to know. If you had a horrible injury or disease that required you to spend an hour a day giving yourself injections or dealing with a colostomy bag or doing infusion or dialysis or something, you might be really private about it and really wouldn't want your privacy invaded by your coworkers. So pause to realize that invading his privacy, itself, is a grave violence against him.



                        It is possible that the employee has already disclosed this to HR, and the issue is understood by them, and you didn't get the memo because you don't have any right.



                        On the other hand, maybe he's in there playing Candy Crush, but ADA is such a legal minefield that you must assume worst case.



                        So let's be clear on this point: the topic of bathroom activity is 110% totally out of bounds here. You cannot raise his absence issue in any way which could possibly relate to his use of the bathroom. Since you believe you know where he goes, do not ask him where he goes. That can come to no good.



                        That said, two things are fair game.



                        First, you can state concern about his frequent absences, assuming that you have no earthly idea where he goes. In fact, telling him "the boss was looking for you, and he's annoyed to not find you" is a decent "watching your bro's back" thing that I recommend.



                        Second, you can use all the standard/normal methods to deal with the anonymous individual hogging the stall. General protocols are first, immediately make your presence known by pulling on the locked door audibly (but don't overpower a stall's latch, obviously). Then after about 10 seconds, knock; that puts the person on notice to wrap up. Proper response is "just a sec" and quick wrap-up. Then every minute or so, knock more firmly and say "Come on!" Or other statements expressing urgency with ever-increasing obnoxiousness. Nobody has a right to tie up a stall for 20 minutes, so it's "gloves off" when dealing through the door with this anonymous person. If there's no response after 5 minutes, presume medical emergency and get a supervisor with a key.






                        share|improve this answer





















                        • 2





                          what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                          – Pac0
                          14 hours ago








                        • 1





                          @pac0 links added.

                          – Harper
                          14 hours ago











                        • @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago






                        • 2





                          Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                          – VLAZ
                          2 hours ago






                        • 2





                          The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                          – StephenG
                          1 hour ago














                        10












                        10








                        10







                        First, this is potentially an issue with ADA, Unruh or your jurisdiction's equivalent laws that protect persons with disabilities or medical conditions. As such, anything remotely related to medical or disabilities must be handled in compliance with relevant laws and with the utmost sensitivity.



                        What's more, there are things you may not know, that you should not know, or may not be allowed to know. If you had a horrible injury or disease that required you to spend an hour a day giving yourself injections or dealing with a colostomy bag or doing infusion or dialysis or something, you might be really private about it and really wouldn't want your privacy invaded by your coworkers. So pause to realize that invading his privacy, itself, is a grave violence against him.



                        It is possible that the employee has already disclosed this to HR, and the issue is understood by them, and you didn't get the memo because you don't have any right.



                        On the other hand, maybe he's in there playing Candy Crush, but ADA is such a legal minefield that you must assume worst case.



                        So let's be clear on this point: the topic of bathroom activity is 110% totally out of bounds here. You cannot raise his absence issue in any way which could possibly relate to his use of the bathroom. Since you believe you know where he goes, do not ask him where he goes. That can come to no good.



                        That said, two things are fair game.



                        First, you can state concern about his frequent absences, assuming that you have no earthly idea where he goes. In fact, telling him "the boss was looking for you, and he's annoyed to not find you" is a decent "watching your bro's back" thing that I recommend.



                        Second, you can use all the standard/normal methods to deal with the anonymous individual hogging the stall. General protocols are first, immediately make your presence known by pulling on the locked door audibly (but don't overpower a stall's latch, obviously). Then after about 10 seconds, knock; that puts the person on notice to wrap up. Proper response is "just a sec" and quick wrap-up. Then every minute or so, knock more firmly and say "Come on!" Or other statements expressing urgency with ever-increasing obnoxiousness. Nobody has a right to tie up a stall for 20 minutes, so it's "gloves off" when dealing through the door with this anonymous person. If there's no response after 5 minutes, presume medical emergency and get a supervisor with a key.






                        share|improve this answer















                        First, this is potentially an issue with ADA, Unruh or your jurisdiction's equivalent laws that protect persons with disabilities or medical conditions. As such, anything remotely related to medical or disabilities must be handled in compliance with relevant laws and with the utmost sensitivity.



                        What's more, there are things you may not know, that you should not know, or may not be allowed to know. If you had a horrible injury or disease that required you to spend an hour a day giving yourself injections or dealing with a colostomy bag or doing infusion or dialysis or something, you might be really private about it and really wouldn't want your privacy invaded by your coworkers. So pause to realize that invading his privacy, itself, is a grave violence against him.



                        It is possible that the employee has already disclosed this to HR, and the issue is understood by them, and you didn't get the memo because you don't have any right.



                        On the other hand, maybe he's in there playing Candy Crush, but ADA is such a legal minefield that you must assume worst case.



                        So let's be clear on this point: the topic of bathroom activity is 110% totally out of bounds here. You cannot raise his absence issue in any way which could possibly relate to his use of the bathroom. Since you believe you know where he goes, do not ask him where he goes. That can come to no good.



                        That said, two things are fair game.



                        First, you can state concern about his frequent absences, assuming that you have no earthly idea where he goes. In fact, telling him "the boss was looking for you, and he's annoyed to not find you" is a decent "watching your bro's back" thing that I recommend.



                        Second, you can use all the standard/normal methods to deal with the anonymous individual hogging the stall. General protocols are first, immediately make your presence known by pulling on the locked door audibly (but don't overpower a stall's latch, obviously). Then after about 10 seconds, knock; that puts the person on notice to wrap up. Proper response is "just a sec" and quick wrap-up. Then every minute or so, knock more firmly and say "Come on!" Or other statements expressing urgency with ever-increasing obnoxiousness. Nobody has a right to tie up a stall for 20 minutes, so it's "gloves off" when dealing through the door with this anonymous person. If there's no response after 5 minutes, presume medical emergency and get a supervisor with a key.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 14 hours ago

























                        answered 15 hours ago









                        HarperHarper

                        4,3571721




                        4,3571721








                        • 2





                          what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                          – Pac0
                          14 hours ago








                        • 1





                          @pac0 links added.

                          – Harper
                          14 hours ago











                        • @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago






                        • 2





                          Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                          – VLAZ
                          2 hours ago






                        • 2





                          The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                          – StephenG
                          1 hour ago














                        • 2





                          what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                          – Pac0
                          14 hours ago








                        • 1





                          @pac0 links added.

                          – Harper
                          14 hours ago











                        • @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                          – alephzero
                          5 hours ago






                        • 2





                          Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                          – VLAZ
                          2 hours ago






                        • 2





                          The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                          – StephenG
                          1 hour ago








                        2




                        2





                        what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                        – Pac0
                        14 hours ago







                        what are ADA and unruh ? Can't find easily something that seems related to your answer.

                        – Pac0
                        14 hours ago






                        1




                        1





                        @pac0 links added.

                        – Harper
                        14 hours ago





                        @pac0 links added.

                        – Harper
                        14 hours ago













                        @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                        – alephzero
                        5 hours ago





                        @Harper Don't speculate on your list of medical conditions. I have a colostomy bag. It takes less time deal with it than many people take going for a poo (and I don't even need to wash my hands afterwards, though I usually do).

                        – alephzero
                        5 hours ago




                        2




                        2





                        Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                        – VLAZ
                        2 hours ago





                        Wait, you first try to open the door, then knock? I'm not sure that's the generally accepted behaviour - knocking first has always been preferred everywhere I've been. Sure, you do get somebody occasionally who tries to open the door but not because that's "how it's meant to be done".

                        – VLAZ
                        2 hours ago




                        2




                        2





                        The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                        – StephenG
                        1 hour ago





                        The last two paragraphs are infantile advice that is designed purely to harass (!) the person. It could well get the OP fired if they did any of this. School kids get expelled from school for this stupidity - adults get fired. You start off saying it's 110% out of bounds and then moronically advise on methods to interfere and annoy. Adults are expected to deal with issues in an adult way, not like schoolkids. You can't have it both ways.

                        – StephenG
                        1 hour ago











                        6














                        This is ultimately a "nunya" situation; nunya funkin' business. Is this really how you wish to learn about a co-worker's private medical condition of which you have no right to know about?



                        If you have an issue with bathroom wait times then complain about bathroom wait times.



                        If you have an issue with working with someone who is never at their desk then complain that you can never find person xyz when you need them.



                        If this person is truly unaware that their hour-long bathroom breaks are causing an issue then they will be informed by the appropriate individual when the time comes. If they are already aware and they continue with the behavior then you should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they need to do what they are doing.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          6














                          This is ultimately a "nunya" situation; nunya funkin' business. Is this really how you wish to learn about a co-worker's private medical condition of which you have no right to know about?



                          If you have an issue with bathroom wait times then complain about bathroom wait times.



                          If you have an issue with working with someone who is never at their desk then complain that you can never find person xyz when you need them.



                          If this person is truly unaware that their hour-long bathroom breaks are causing an issue then they will be informed by the appropriate individual when the time comes. If they are already aware and they continue with the behavior then you should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they need to do what they are doing.






                          share|improve this answer


























                            6












                            6








                            6







                            This is ultimately a "nunya" situation; nunya funkin' business. Is this really how you wish to learn about a co-worker's private medical condition of which you have no right to know about?



                            If you have an issue with bathroom wait times then complain about bathroom wait times.



                            If you have an issue with working with someone who is never at their desk then complain that you can never find person xyz when you need them.



                            If this person is truly unaware that their hour-long bathroom breaks are causing an issue then they will be informed by the appropriate individual when the time comes. If they are already aware and they continue with the behavior then you should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they need to do what they are doing.






                            share|improve this answer













                            This is ultimately a "nunya" situation; nunya funkin' business. Is this really how you wish to learn about a co-worker's private medical condition of which you have no right to know about?



                            If you have an issue with bathroom wait times then complain about bathroom wait times.



                            If you have an issue with working with someone who is never at their desk then complain that you can never find person xyz when you need them.



                            If this person is truly unaware that their hour-long bathroom breaks are causing an issue then they will be informed by the appropriate individual when the time comes. If they are already aware and they continue with the behavior then you should give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they need to do what they are doing.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 5 hours ago









                            MonkeyZeusMonkeyZeus

                            3,81311027




                            3,81311027






















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