'It's a paid bathroom break': Gas station employee scrutinized by a nitpicking boss after taking 'too many bathroom breaks', goes viral

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Feb 20, 2024 12:00 PM EST

There's one thing we all learned the hard way in elementary school: When you gotta go, you gotta go! The schooling system always taught kids to ask permission to use the restroom or to plan their drinking schedule according to the times they were free to relieve themselves, but all that ever taught anybody was to be stressed about drinking a healthy amount of water or justifying anarchy to break free of bathroom break restraints. 

When we all graduated high school, we thought that that would be the end to the restroom tyranny, but for the gas station employee in this next story, the obsession with bathroom breaks followed them into the working world. 

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  • After drinking multiple Big Gulp cups of water and having your morning coffee, any employee will be tempted to cash in on one of their 10-minute breaks of the day. For u/Distinct-Clothes-592, they learned quickly at their convenience store job that taking a bathroom break wasn't as simple as answering a call from nature. 

  • In fact, their boss had been monitoring their bathroom breaks (creep?) and decided that they needed to provide a doctor's note for whatever ailment caused them to use the restroom 1-4 times during an 8-hour shift. Hmm, is there a professional way to tell your boss to buzz off and let you live a hydrated existence? 

    Scroll onward to read how this employee handled a nosy, nitpicking boss who tried to get them to disclose their restroom habits. 

  • 01
    "Being penalized for being hydrated? That's a new one...' ""
    via canva
  • 02
    Posted by u/Distinct-Clothes-592 1 day ago 4 My boss is telling me that I am required to tell him how many times I used the restroom today
    via Distinct-Clothes-592
  • 03
    My boss asked me (via text message after my shift today) to provide a doctor's note for my bladder problems (which I don't have). After telling him I didn't have any bladder problems, he states that I need to get a doctor's note because I use the restroom too much during my 3 hour shifts (I work
    via Distinct-Clothes-592
  • 04
    at a 711 and chug water while at work, about 2 big gulps worth of water just about every time i work causing me to frequent the bathroom about 1-4 times a shift). He promptly sends another message asking me to tell him how many times I used the restroom today (twice, a pee and a total of 15 minutes MAX) I asked if I was
    via Distinct-Clothes-592
  • 05
    required to disclose that information to him and he said I was required due to the fact that it's a paid bathroom break and that I have confirmed that I have no medical problems. I'm just curious if this is true and wondering how I should handle the situation forward from this point. I HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO HIM YET, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
    via Distinct-Clothes-592
  • 06
    Cygnata 22 hr. ago I'd give him graphic details, as well as reporting to OSHA. He can't restrict your bathroom access.
    via Cygnata
  • 07
    Distinct-Clothes-592 OP 21 hr. ago I've looked at OSHA stuff and it does say something about employees can't take an excessive amount of restroom breaks but when I tried to find specifics to this very generalized thing, I couldn't find more info on it. I wouldn't want to make a report without knowing for sure I'm in the clear myself.
    via Distinct-Clothes-592
  • 08
    goofyfluid 21 hr. ago I have a very difficult time believing OSHA or anyone else would consider once an hour excessive. Is it more than usual, yes, but as long as you're not in there for 15 minutes per hour, you should be fine.
    via goofyfluid
  • 09
    indecisive_monkey 1 day ago Seriously! Between the amount of coffee and water I drink while working I have to pee constantly. I work from home, so no one tracks my time, but being penalized for being hydrated? That's a new one..
    via indecisive_monkey
  • 10
    Naive-Regular-5539 1 day ago. edited 4 hr. ago I was written up while working help desk for a large fruity tech co for an 8 min bathroom break. I have IBS and they still ripped me a new
    via Naive-Regular-5539
  • 11
    Content-Method 9889 22 hr. ago My husband works with this guy in a warehouse and he spends 45 min sessions in there just grunting and playing on his phone. Reply Share 23 Factual Statistician 13 hr. ago More power to him,. boss makes a doller I make a dime thats why I on company time
    via Content-Method
  • 12
    puffinfish420 · 23 hr. ago Lol, try being a teacher. I frequently get this dull, aching pain in my bladder from just having to hold it. Reply Share 15 HughJasole_123 21 hr. ago Can I go to the bathroom? I don't know can you? lol
    via puffinfish420
  • 13
    Lewodyn 1 day ago Your medical condition is none of his business. Nor is the frequency of your bathroom breaks. 957 Reply Share Distinct-Clothes-592 OP 1 day ago thank you, I've yet to tell him thus information but instead asked him if he intends to add any restrictions to my usage to see what he says.
    via Lewodyn
  • 14
    dances2banda - 1 day ago Treat it like he's asking information on how to flush his kidneys and lead a more hydrated life. Tell him all the recommended servings for his weight. Tell him it's the water that causes you to not have bladder issues. And then ask him if he's drinking water with a straw. Tell him it helps to stay hydrated.
    via dances2banda
  • 15
    Volcano_Jones 1 day ago Start texting him every 10 minutes asking for permission to use the restroom. Reply Share 252 mishabear16 1 day ago "nevermind. You responded too late so I had to urinate behind the counter".
    via Volcano_Jones
  • 16
    Maleficent_Wash_934 1 day ago If he is watching the security cam all day, it sounds like he has a better idea of the number of times than you do. Tell him your doctor wants to know the frequency and duration of your bathroom breaks so if he could forward that information to you, it would be great!!
    via Maleficent_Wash_934
  • 17
    lucid_sunday. 1 day ago I would LOVE to get this message from my boss as a pregnant woman. The discrimination suit would be delicious. Report his
    via lucid_sunday
  • 18
    HugglesGamer. 1 day ago "I used the bathroom 5 times today sir." Boss- "I only saw you in the bathroom 4 times?!" Me- "go check your office." Boss-"..." ...
    via HugglesGamer
  • 19
    xX1a2b3c4dXx - 1 day ago I'd tell him to kick rocks and research to file a complaint somewhere cause bathroom breaks shouldn't be with. Staying hydrated is healthy.
    via xX1a2b3c4dXx
  • 20
    CatchMeIfYouCan09 1 day ago "Unfortunately your required to provide bathrooms breaks per OSHA. They're no regulation as to frequency or length of time. Secondly I will not be providing you a dr note as it's not necessary and insisting on one will create a goal work environment"
    via CatchMeIfYouCan09
  • 21
    Next time you go to the Dr get a you" Dr note of your Dr doesn't mind... "To whom it may concern, I am seeing -name- for all their medical needs. As - name- is an adult, they can determine when they need to use the bathroom. Frankly it's a bit inappropriate to be so obsessed with their bathroom needs. Sincerely Dr. " I've done something similar
    via CatchMeIfYouCan09
  • 22
    veronicaAc 1 day ago I'd say, "you know, I didn't realize it until you said something but I do urinate a lot recently. Perhaps I'll visit my doctor for tests. I'll follow up after my appointment. Thank you for pointing this out to me!" If you need accommodations, he's stuck lol
    via veronicaAc
  • 23
    jewwwish 1 day ago He wants info. Give him info. ALL of it. Every detail, make a chart, give details both qualitative and quantitative, ensure him that his concern has raised YOUR OWN concern about your personal health and share as much as you can on your journey' to wellness. Begin every correspondence with something like, "Hey, accountabilibuddy!!"
    via jewwwish

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