Health startup The Gut Stuff has found that almost a fifth of British workers say that having to poop at work is among biggest concern amid returning to the office full time.
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Concerns over pooping at work
The study was conducted by sampling 2,000 Brits who have yet to return to working from the office. Their concern revolving bowel relief is so worrying that 53% said they were more comfortable leaving their place of work to find somewhere else to do their business. Another 18% admitted to having even gone as far as going back home to use the toilet.
Interestingly, the fear of pooping at work seems to disproportionately affect women more than men. Only 67% of respondents said they felt comfortable using the toilet for number two at work while 18% of those polled said they were willing to hold it in all day until they got back home.
'Breaking the loo taboo'
Lisa and Alana MacFarlane, founders of the health startup who conducted the survey, are raising awareness surrounding what they have now coined 'breaking the loo taboo.' They explain that:
It’s so much more than feeling embarrassed – employers have a responsibility to make sure their team’s health and wellbeing is supported in the back-to-work transition, and that absolutely includes encouraging people to go, when they need to go.
And added:
Nobody cares as much as you think they do. They’re all too busy worrying about themselves, we promise!
The results comes amid the divide in the UK between employers who want to impose a return to the office and those who have adopted flexible ways of working. Recent reports have found that almost half of all office workers would rather quit their jobs if asked to return to the office five days a week.
