Colleagues dirty bathroom habits put 10% of workers off using the toilet at work

Poor hygiene and cleanliness in office bathrooms can intensify the problem and place workers’ health at risk. Thus, despite the ‘taboo’ surrounding the subject, Showerstoyou.co.uk sought to find out what workers dislike the most about their colleague’s dirty bathroom habits and what the ‘correct’ bathroom etiquette is.

Showerstoyou.co.uk polled more than 1,400 UK men and women, employed in a wide number of industries, asking questions about their workplace bathroom, and what they truly think and feel about their co-worker’s bathroom habits.

The survey found that over half of workers (51%) have been ‘appalled’ by the state of their office bathroom at least once, over the space of 6 months, and just under half (48%) of people worry about going to the bathroom at work , in fear of being greeted by an unclean, smelly environment. One in 10 would give the bathroom a miss altogether if they could.Despite this, a staggering 7 in 10 (74%) claim to leave the bathroom ‘in the same way they would like to find it’ and make a conscious effort to ensure the cubicle is acceptable and tidy once finished with.

Unsurprisngly the survey also found that the bathroom now has several uses including: putting on make-up, discussing work, going on social media, catching up on emails/texts – even calls – and gossiping.

When workers were questioned on how long they typically spend in the office bathroom, the results vary on the situation. Some would rather be in and out (43%), however others will use the opportunity to take a break from their work (31%). 29% of office workers admit to taking their phone into a cubicle, with a large number admitting to just sitting in the cubicle playing games, or browsing the internet, and not using the toilet for its primary purpose.

In the survey, for the most part, 73% are more likely to wash their hands when in the presence of another colleague, either for a longer amount of time, or when they normally wouldn’t.

Reasons people do not wash their hands after using the bathroom included:
• A queue at the sink/hand-dryer (28%)

• Sink is dirty (24%)

• A bad smell (17%)

• Simply couldn’t be bothered (13%)

• No soap/sanitiser (10%)

• Fear of colleagues being judgemental for taking too long (8%)

Over two thirds (68%) of people feel ‘disgusted’ when they notice a colleague not washing their hands. Surprisingly, a third (34%) of workers would consider confronting a colleague overpoor hygiene and cleanliness in the bathroom.

The biggest pet peeves cited by office workers are as follows:
1. Not flushing the toilet after use (39%)

2. Not replacing toilet roll (24%)

3. Leaving make-up/dirt around the sink (16%)

4. Not putting rubbish in the bin (12%)

5. Having conversations in the bathroom (9%)

www.showerstoyou.co.uk