12 replies to this topic

[EmmE]

I'm trying to find a delicate way of wording this question but I don't think its possible. So, here it goes.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to address the issue of employees refusing to flush toilet paper. I have posted signs, had meetings, and brought up the issue several times and it continues to be an issue.

During a FDA inspection, the auditor specifically commented on the issue stating that we seriously needed to fix it.

It has become a dance between trying not to offend the different cultures and what they are accustomed to and trying to keep our facilities clean and sanitary. Some one suggested removing waste containers from the stalls but we obviously need to provide them in the womens bathroom. No matter how small the size of the container, it always ends up being stuffed with TP which is rather unpleasant to say the least.

Other than what I am already doing, I had to increase the frequency of sanitation to curb the problem. Otherwise, TP also ends up on the floor.

Maybe someone can offer a different approach or maybe I'm not getting the point across correctly.

PLEASE HELP!

[Simon]

That sounds absolutely gross. If you've tried education, training, putting signage in place the next step must be some stronger control. For a period of time you may need to have hourly inspections of the bathrooms and have a clipboard outside, any employee who uses the bathroom must write their name and the time. Then you will know who has visited the bathroom in the previous hour. They won’t like it, but if you tell them why and keep it going the correct procedure may stick. If something goes wrong in the hour then get all of the employees who have used the bathroom in a room and give them a roasting.

[EmmE]

Thank you Simon. I will definitely go this route as I've already tried so many other routes without success.

Much appreciated!!

[STU]

Thank you Simon. I will definitely go this route as I've already tried so many other routes without success.

Much appreciated!!

Its a delicate area ok...BUT.. there is no getting away from facts, that good personal hygiene and GMP require a safe hygienic disposal of toilet paper.
TBH..the toilet log wouldnt be my route..and i have a suspicion that you may be contravening dignity rights in the workplace.
Education is the route.

[Cathy]

I just wanted to let you know - I understand your challenges! It is a cultural problem for some groups of employees - and it must be corrected and it takes a lot of effort.

[Charles.C]

Dear Emme,

Indeed, one can get to a situation where "desperate" measures become the only option.

Hv encountered a situation where toilet use was monitored by a designated overseer / time in/out book / key system. Draconian admittedly but was necessary I guess.

Also met a different but related problem - forced hiring of diver's gear due to sub-surface blockage caused by inappropriate flushing / reluctance to use the provided bin !

Good Luck !

Rgds / Charles.C

[GMO]

We had a situation where employees used to using the "hole in the ground" type toilets were balancing on the toilet and aiming (badly) resulting in soiling on the seat! Yes, I know! We didn't find a solution in the end but I suggested installing a toilet of that type.

Are you unionised? Is it worth getting the union involved? Sometimes they're better in the UK at getting sensitive issues across as often union representatives are of the same background / language and let's face it, unfortunately in the UK workplace anyway, the management is normally white British (and often male).

I'd talk to your HR department about a log. Seems harsh but if it comes to a serious sanitary issue it may be permitted by HR to go ahead but you need them involved, especially if you later intend on taking disciplinary action on it.

I don't envy you. Good luck!

[Pa-aaron]

What about installing automatic flushers?

While this is an added cost, I would imagine that there is some justification based on the time you are spending on this issue plus training time plus the regulatory mess this is causing.

[Cathy]

Unfortunately automaatic flushers won't get people to put the toilet paper into the toilet.

[EmmE]

We had a situation where employees used to using the "hole in the ground" type toilets were balancing on the toilet and aiming (badly) resulting in soiling on the seat! Yes, I know! We didn't find a solution in the end but I suggested installing a toilet of that type.

Are you unionised? Is it worth getting the union involved? Sometimes they're better in the UK at getting sensitive issues across as often union representatives are of the same background / language and let's face it, unfortunately in the UK workplace anyway, the management is normally white British (and often male).

I'd talk to your HR department about a log. Seems harsh but if it comes to a serious sanitary issue it may be permitted by HR to go ahead but you need them involved, especially if you later intend on taking disciplinary action on it.

I don't envy you. Good luck!

Wow! Thankful I don't have the balancing act to worry about.

As for being part of a union, we are not. Nor do we have an HR department. That is a entirely different issue in itself, trying to get a company that is growing out of the Mom & Pop stage, to realize that other changes are necessary to move the company in the right direction. Right now, all the entire quality responsibilities including BRC Certification are left entirely up to me, with no support staff or commitment from above. Sorry for the sob story!

[EmmE]

I just wanted to let you know - I understand your challenges! It is a cultural problem for some groups of employees - and it must be corrected and it takes a lot of effort.

Thanks for the support Cathy!

[BoomBoom]

EmmE -
We had the same problem for a while at our facility. We posted signs in the language of the "offenders" inside the stall doors and then asked a respected member of the staff (not management) that spoke the language of the "offenders" to talk to each person.
We had this person explain to them that the sewer/septic system in our facility is unlike that in their home country. This is the part that took us a while to understand. The people doing this are used to not flushing paper due to the sewer/septic systems where they come from. Those systems cannot handle paper. Turns out they were throwing away the used TP instead of flushing it because they thought they were protecting our sewer system. Once they understood that, we had quite a drastic reduction in incidents.
Hope this helps,
Tom

[Simon]

EmmE -
We had the same problem for a while at our facility. We posted signs in the language of the "offenders" inside the stall doors and then asked a respected member of the staff (not management) that spoke the language of the "offenders" to talk to each person.
We had this person explain to them that the sewer/septic system in our facility is unlike that in their home country. This is the part that took us a while to understand. The people doing this are used to not flushing paper due to the sewer/septic systems where they come from. Those systems cannot handle paper. Turns out they were throwing away the used TP instead of flushing it because they thought they were protecting our sewer system. Once they understood that, we had quite a drastic reduction in incidents.
Hope this helps,
Tom

That's certainly a different slant Tom. If that's the case I feel guilty about my advice.