Work rant

[huntseat3]

The other day at my job, a female coworker told me that she heard the boss say that another coworker was in the bathroom playing on her phone, like I am every time she (boss) is in there.

First of all, I can’t seem to figure out how she would even know it’s me. There are 2 stalls in our bathroom, and I know I don’t pay attention to who’s next to me, let alone somehow figure out if they’re on their phone. I sure as hell don’t peek through the cracks.

Second, I work in a bakery, and I’m generally very busy. When I take a bathroom break, it’s usually between moving stuff in and out of the ovens and I don’t take my phone with me because I don’t have time.

Third, who really cares if I or anyone else is playing on their phone for a few minutes while they’re taking a shit? I mean, isn’t that pretty normal?

Do I sometimes take my phone into the bathroom with me? Yes. Do I always go in there to goof off and waste time when there’s work to do? Absolutely not.

Sorry, just a rant…

[HungarianHippo]

You should take care here. This is NOT an economy where you should be cavalier about your employer’s opinion of your behavior. Because it doesn’t matter whether YOU think it’s ok, it matters that your boss does not, and that your boss thinks you’re a prime offender. So, leave your phone out of the bathroom from now on. Period.

I might give it one shot to let the boss know that her comments disturbed you (with a focus on the fact that you really hope to keep this job). “I heard that you believe I have been avoiding work by taking extended bathroom breaks. This is upsetting because I enjoy my work here. Rather than just ignore it, I thought I’d check with you to see if there’s any work performance feedback you want to give me directly. I like the job and think I do well at it, but if there is something you need me to change, I prefer to know directly from you rather than the gossip mill.”

Yes, this will “out” your friend who told you what the boss said, but you can frame it as “Sally passed along your concern as a heads up that you weren’t happy with me, because she knows I like working here.” (Note: I deliberately sidestepped the phone-in-bathroom issue, because that’s not really what the boss is concerned about. She’s concerned that employees are hiding out in there, reading their phones rather than just taking a bathroom break and getting bback to work.)*

I don’t expect the boss to suddenly change her opinion, but you will at least have communicated that you want to keep your job and are willing to change behavior to do so. But in a small retail workplace, thye people promoted to manager are not necessarily very skilled at managing others, and ultimately there’s just not much you can do. If the work environment is intolerable, start looking for a new job pronto. Do not wait until you’re fired to start looking.

One hard-and-fast rule of professional life: when you really don’t like your employer, I guarantee you the feeling is mutual.

*the other reason I would not address or defend phone usage in the toilet is that food prep workers should not be bringing phones into the toilet, and then carrying those same phones around (thus negating the purpose of washing hands after using the bathroom). Regardless that people do it all the time, it’s not exactly a winning argument for anyone in the food prep industry

[endlessclimb]

I agree with the first part of @HungarianHippo 's post, but not the second.

I would not confront the boss at all - some people really hate that, and I’m sure the boss will feel like they got caught talking smack, even if that isn’t the intention of your conversation with them.

I’d just put my ass in turbo-gear and put boots on the ground to change their mind. Do extra stuff without being told, ask for extra work if you can’t find anything else to do. Ask for extra hours if you can handle them, ask to be trained in a new skill if you’re ready. Bust. Your. Buns.

And leave that damned phone in your locker.

[candyappy]

If you are working then leave your phone off until you are on a scheduled break. Why anyone would want to use their phone while going to the bathroom at the same time grosses me out.

I am not the owner or user of a cell phone so maybe I am in the extreme minority.

[ladyj79]

How many times a day are people possibly going to the bathroom simultaneously in what sounds like a small business?

sorry, not entirely germaine, but still I wonder.

[Pennywell_Bay]

@huntseat3

The other day at my job, a female coworker told me that she heard the boss say that another coworker was in the bathroom playing on her phone, like I am every time she (boss) is in there.

First of all, I can’t seem to figure out how she would even know it’s me. There are 2 stalls in our bathroom, and I know I don’t pay attention to who’s next to me, let alone somehow figure out if they’re on their phone. I sure as hell don’t peek through the cracks.

Second, I work in a bakery, and I’m generally very busy. When I take a bathroom break, it’s usually between moving stuff in and out of the ovens and I don’t take my phone with me because I don’t have time.

Third, who really cares if I or anyone else is playing on their phone for a few minutes while they’re taking a shit? I mean, isn’t that pretty normal?

Do I sometimes take my phone into the bathroom with me? Yes. Do I always go in there to goof off and waste time when there’s work to do? Absolutely not.

Sorry, just a rant…

You work in a bakery, play on your phone at work when you do #2 and can’t imagine why your boss would say something? Insert vomit emoticon. She should have said it to you- don’t know what you are doing that she knows- playing Candy Crush? Posting on COTH?

[Wilbury_Pie]

A female coworker said she heard the boss say (or something along those lines) mmm…I wouldn’t assume the boss said anything. Relax for your own sake, and leave your phone outside of the bathroom always.

You’re doing an excellent deed by providing people with food in these tough times

[StormyDay]

I wouldn’t worry about it. You are allowed breaks and what you do during that time is not their concern. You can do a handstand in there if you want to.

[S1969]

@candyappy

Why anyone would want to use their phone while going to the bathroom at the same time grosses me out.

.

This. Do people actually do this? If I ever forget and bring my phone into the bathroom at work I leave it on the table by the door. No danger of dropping it in a toilet that way.

[enjoytheride]

Literally every single person I have ever worked with, currently work with, and don’t work with but know otherwise uses their phone while in the bathroom. I had no idea people didn’t. I’m usually busy at work and the only time I respond on my phone is in the bathroom or on a break.

Wash your hands and don’t spend 20 minutes in the stall on Facebook and it’s nobody’s business.

I will add my phone is on mute in the bathroom although I hear other people’s phone responding all the time in the next stall.

[gottagrey]

So back in the day people read magazines in the loo today maybe they play games on their phone or and for the life of me I’m not sure why people feel the need to talk on the phone while they’re doing their business. Seriously I can wait to talk afterwards.
OP I wouldn’t say anything to your employer but not sure why they even need to get into someone’s personal and private
business. IMO it’s extremely unprofessional for them to bring up an employee’s GI issues with another.

these sorts of things bug me because there are people who have GI or bladder issues they can’t help - due to chronic
condition or meds they may be taking.

as other posters mentioned sometimes the bathroom break is the only time you can catch up on emails or messages. Unless you’re abusing the break policy why should they care
and it doesn’t sound like the OP is

[phoebetrainer]

You should have a look at this blog site: https://www.askamanager.org/ There’s lots of stories that are similar, ideas for dealing with situations and scripts to use.

[fourfillies]

Please don’t use phones in a bathroom stall. There was a recent Nature paper there is more COVID virus on bathroom floors than in the changing rooms of hospitals caring for COVID patients. If you do find a Clorox wipe and scrub the phone and let it dry after you wash your hands. That applies to a non COVID situation too, just a bad idea.

[Chall]

I don’t want to be “included” on someone’s phone call.

[babecakes]

Why is this on a horse thread? Please post in Off Topic.

[anon38350891]

@Wilbury Pie

A female coworker said she heard the boss say (or something along those lines) mmm…I wouldn’t assume the boss said anything. Relax for your own sake, and leave your phone outside of the bathroom always.

You’re doing an excellent deed by providing people with food in these tough times

This times 1000. Never assume anything anybody tells you about work gossip is true.