Boss calls out call center employee for using the bathroom mid-shift: 'I understand but there were several calls on hold in the queue'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Oct 28, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Like it or not, you're a human. Unless you're a robot reading this, then in that case, stop reading this! This is for humans only! And being a human comes with some delightful amenities. One of those is having to use the restroom every once in a while. And by every once in a while, I mean a bunch of times a day. And the laws of space-time make it so we never stop being human, even if we're at our place of work. As much as they might like us to be automatons who have no needs outside of work (a la Severance), we are not. Heck, on Severance, the innies still had to use the bathroom every once in a while. 

And you can't help it when you need to go. It's not an urge you can readily ignore, unless you're willing to face the consequences. And bosses should know this. They should know that you need a bathroom break when you need a bathroom break and that you shouldn't stand in their way. But not all of them understand that. 

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  • A woman works on a laptop near a window wearing a hat.
    via Unsplash+ (Giulia Squillace)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Some folks just want to watch the world burn, and the boss in this story was one of those people. With an understaffed team, she wanted to squeeze everything she could from the employees she did have. Read on to see how this confrontation went down and think about what you would have done. 

  • Boss is upset I went to bathroom midst of work rush.

    I work at a call center and we're currently short staffed and busy on Mondays. I try to be mindful when I have use the bathroom or take breaks during those times but I really had to go this time. I notified in teams chat and left for 3 minutes.
    via u/rnasunvrse
  • My boss messages me asking why were there calls on hold in the queue with only one agent taking calls. I responded "I had to use the restroom." She says "I understand but there were several calls on hold in the queue."
    via u/rnasunvrse
  • I didn't respond to her message and just continued taking my calls. I'm usually a very respectable and obedient employee but when it comes to health, which holding my pee can be a really bad health risk for me specifically, frankly I don't give a dogs crap about having 2 clients on hold.
    via u/rnasunvrse
  • I just know my managers going to come to me later about this and I just want to know if anyone would do so in my position. Is she being unreasonable. How should I respond to her?
    via u/rnasunvrse

  • Commenters had a lot to say to this boss.

    series-hybrid • 44m ago "Well, I notified Human Resources that we needed more workers, but they said you were in charge of that."
    via u/series-hybrid
  • keetojm 50m ago Would you rather this becomes a hazmat scene next time?
    via u/keetojm
  • A boss talks to her employee in a hallway at an office.
    via Unsplash+ (Giulia Squillace)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • LevelHelicopter94... 27m ago My boss makes a dollar I make a dime That's why I poo During work time
    via u/LevelHelicopter9420
  • high_throughput ⚫37m ago we're currently short staffed and busy on Mondays I thought you were just experiencing higher than normal call volumes
    via u/high_throughput
  • She says "I understand but there were several calls on hold in the queue." "It doesn't sound like you understand"
    via u/high_throughput
  • O... 25m ago Edited 13m ago If you aren't allowed to go to the restroom to pee, go to your manager's office to pee. I worked a call center for 2 years and if they don't want human workers that are
    via u/Open-Cryptographer83
  • handicapped by biological processes such as relieving your bladder they can replace you with a computer program. They won't because their clients prefer to speak with a real human.
    via u/Open-Cryptographer83
  • Rfitz81 22m ago . Sorry but my stomach informed me this poop was happening eminently and I had a very small window of opportunity to choose the location of said pooping.
    via u/Rfitz81
  • . gbroon 34m ago If only there was some sort of system that allowed calls to queue until someone was available. If the queues too long that's the fault of management for not scheduling enough cover at that time not yours for going to the toilet.
    via u/gbroon
  • Angelonthe7 • 32m ago 'Would you rather I pee my pants?'
    via u/Angelonthe7
  • elleanywhere • 17m ago Just want to validate that your boss is being completely unreasonable -- like WTF. I'd literally lose it. No workplace should be so busy or so understaffed that you cannot take short bathroom breaks as needed.
    via u/elleanywhere
  • That said, if you want to keep some peace, I'd try saying something like, "I try my best to take breaks during less busy times, but sometimes it's unavoidable that I need a bathroom break when calls are in queue. I know you care about your employees' well- being, so please trust that I am only taking bathroom breaks when needed."
    via u/elleanywhere
  • While I don't actually think. your boss cares about her employees' well-being, framing it like that makes it tougher for her to disagree with your point :) If she makes any suggestions —— like drink less water or plan better just repeat yourself as much as you think will be ok "I need you to trust me that I am making reasonable decisions about water intake and bathroom breaks."
    via u/elleanywhere
  • Depending on how that goes, you can always add something like "It's uncomfortable and unhealthy for me to be dehydrated or to hold my bladder for long periods of time. Over the long term, allowing me to manage my own bathroom breaks will keep me at my most productive as an employee."
    via u/elleanywhere
  • But I'm so sorry OP, it would take every ounce of my restraint not to explode on this person.
    via u/elleanywhere
  • LostRonin 7m ago Call him over and tell him you need to use the restroom and just piss all over your boss. That way work isnt interrupted. He can take one for the team.
    via u/LostRonin

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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