My building currently has no water; therefore we cannot drink water or tea/coffee and we cannot use the toilet. The water is actually off in the whole neighbourhood so popping into a cafe or something to use the toilet isn’t an option.
How long does it have to be off before we get sent home?
I’m not just trying to get out of work, my employer operates a flex-time policy and whatever hours I don’t work today I will have to make up later this week. I just really want to go to the toilet!
well in the UK, this is covered by Health and Safety legislation…specifically
"Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be provided at readily accessible places"
"An adequate supply of high-quality drinking water, with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided…Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water."
So its a basic requirement – you need to demand they fix it, or send you home immediately!
Best thing to do is to ring the Health and Safety executive and ask their advice: 0845 345 0055, 8 am – 6 pm (Monday to Friday)
March 7th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I am pretty certain that there is no specific requirement for an employer to provide running water etc under employment law. Itwill be a Health and Safety in the Workplace issue so give your local HSE a ring.
References :
i’m a small business employer
March 7th, 2010 at 10:32 am
You have the right to tell your employer that you are going home until the water is turned on again. Tell him the toilet can’t be flushed and you can’t wash your hands or make any hot drinks. The toilet and hand washing is a Health hazard.
References :
March 7th, 2010 at 10:49 am
well in the UK, this is covered by Health and Safety legislation…specifically
"Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities should be provided at readily accessible places"
"An adequate supply of high-quality drinking water, with an upward drinking jet or suitable cups, should be provided…Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water."
So its a basic requirement – you need to demand they fix it, or send you home immediately!
Best thing to do is to ring the Health and Safety executive and ask their advice: 0845 345 0055, 8 am – 6 pm (Monday to Friday)
References :
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/ask.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1992/Uksi_19923004_en_2.htm#mdiv4
March 7th, 2010 at 11:03 am
You should just take a long lunch, wash up, use the toilet and whatever else you need to do with water and go back to work. I say this because it would make more sense to keep your hours up so you’re not struggling later to make them up, but also you’re boss shouldn’t have too much of a problem with you taking a longer break than normal because obviously you need to use the bathroom every so often.
References :