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How to urge the top management about resolving washroom crisis in office
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This may sound funny, but in our country, this is a very common phenomenon, i.e. temporary shortage of water supply and the water supply line remaining closed for several hours. However, in a software firm, this scenario is not common, and in no ways desirable.
For almost over a year, we've been facing serious problems while going to the washroom. There are in total 4 washrooms including 1 female washroom, most of the time 2 of them don't have water supply. Only one male washroom and that female washroom have constant water supply and due to this reason, the male washroom always remains occupied in every hours of the day.
Whenever any male employee needs to go to the washroom, he has to wait for a long period of time to get a chance. This seriously reduces productive work hours hence affecting the productivity of our employees. Besides, most of our employees, me inclusive, are Muslims. We are to maintain common hygiene pretty strictly and also perform compulsory ablution1 before every prayer. Since 3 out of 5 of our daily prayer times fall within our office hours (Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib), we need to go to the washroom at least 3 times a day to perform our ablution. The situation gets terrible when we see a huge queue in front of the washrooms before each prayer. Not only do our prayers get delayed, but also our work, our delivery and our meetings. A separate station for ablution (which you can find in almost all mosques) was set up for a brief period of time. Management themselves broke it.
Since we have less number of female employees, and female washroom never loses water supply, there isn't any crowd in front of the female washroom.
Some of our senior employees have already complained to the top management, but they did not pay heed to us. Now, I feel it is important to create pressure on the top management regarding this issue. Question is, how are we going to do that? Should we approach our HR and lodge a formal complain through them, or should we directly approach the top management and urge them to take necessary steps? Now this is crazy!!! Management accuses the employees of lack of productivity at the slightest of loss or lag, but they don't care to resolve the reason behind this lack of productivity. It is their responsibility to ensure a healthy work-environment for the employees, they can't just demand productivity from the employees without doing that.
Edit:
I forgot to mention one important point. There is actually 2 more washrooms in the 2nd building of our office and that is actually the management section. The washroom crisis I mentioned is in the 1st building which is the development section. However, it is very undesirable that employees are crowding the management section every now and then just to use their washroom, although, thinking of that, I have just got an idea this is exactly the thing we must do to wake them up!!!!!!
1: In Islam, a pre-prayer ablution typically needs the following activities to be done 3 times each - 1. wash both wrists 2. rinse the mouth 3. wash the nose 4. wash entire face including eyebrows, mustaches and beard 5. wash both hands from elbow upto wrists, 6. wash entire head and the earlobes, but only once, 7. wash both feet including the ankles, thrice.
work-environment productivity employees
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
This may sound funny, but in our country, this is a very common phenomenon, i.e. temporary shortage of water supply and the water supply line remaining closed for several hours. However, in a software firm, this scenario is not common, and in no ways desirable.
For almost over a year, we've been facing serious problems while going to the washroom. There are in total 4 washrooms including 1 female washroom, most of the time 2 of them don't have water supply. Only one male washroom and that female washroom have constant water supply and due to this reason, the male washroom always remains occupied in every hours of the day.
Whenever any male employee needs to go to the washroom, he has to wait for a long period of time to get a chance. This seriously reduces productive work hours hence affecting the productivity of our employees. Besides, most of our employees, me inclusive, are Muslims. We are to maintain common hygiene pretty strictly and also perform compulsory ablution1 before every prayer. Since 3 out of 5 of our daily prayer times fall within our office hours (Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib), we need to go to the washroom at least 3 times a day to perform our ablution. The situation gets terrible when we see a huge queue in front of the washrooms before each prayer. Not only do our prayers get delayed, but also our work, our delivery and our meetings. A separate station for ablution (which you can find in almost all mosques) was set up for a brief period of time. Management themselves broke it.
Since we have less number of female employees, and female washroom never loses water supply, there isn't any crowd in front of the female washroom.
Some of our senior employees have already complained to the top management, but they did not pay heed to us. Now, I feel it is important to create pressure on the top management regarding this issue. Question is, how are we going to do that? Should we approach our HR and lodge a formal complain through them, or should we directly approach the top management and urge them to take necessary steps? Now this is crazy!!! Management accuses the employees of lack of productivity at the slightest of loss or lag, but they don't care to resolve the reason behind this lack of productivity. It is their responsibility to ensure a healthy work-environment for the employees, they can't just demand productivity from the employees without doing that.
Edit:
I forgot to mention one important point. There is actually 2 more washrooms in the 2nd building of our office and that is actually the management section. The washroom crisis I mentioned is in the 1st building which is the development section. However, it is very undesirable that employees are crowding the management section every now and then just to use their washroom, although, thinking of that, I have just got an idea this is exactly the thing we must do to wake them up!!!!!!
1: In Islam, a pre-prayer ablution typically needs the following activities to be done 3 times each - 1. wash both wrists 2. rinse the mouth 3. wash the nose 4. wash entire face including eyebrows, mustaches and beard 5. wash both hands from elbow upto wrists, 6. wash entire head and the earlobes, but only once, 7. wash both feet including the ankles, thrice.
work-environment productivity employees
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
1
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
2
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
14
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
5
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
This may sound funny, but in our country, this is a very common phenomenon, i.e. temporary shortage of water supply and the water supply line remaining closed for several hours. However, in a software firm, this scenario is not common, and in no ways desirable.
For almost over a year, we've been facing serious problems while going to the washroom. There are in total 4 washrooms including 1 female washroom, most of the time 2 of them don't have water supply. Only one male washroom and that female washroom have constant water supply and due to this reason, the male washroom always remains occupied in every hours of the day.
Whenever any male employee needs to go to the washroom, he has to wait for a long period of time to get a chance. This seriously reduces productive work hours hence affecting the productivity of our employees. Besides, most of our employees, me inclusive, are Muslims. We are to maintain common hygiene pretty strictly and also perform compulsory ablution1 before every prayer. Since 3 out of 5 of our daily prayer times fall within our office hours (Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib), we need to go to the washroom at least 3 times a day to perform our ablution. The situation gets terrible when we see a huge queue in front of the washrooms before each prayer. Not only do our prayers get delayed, but also our work, our delivery and our meetings. A separate station for ablution (which you can find in almost all mosques) was set up for a brief period of time. Management themselves broke it.
Since we have less number of female employees, and female washroom never loses water supply, there isn't any crowd in front of the female washroom.
Some of our senior employees have already complained to the top management, but they did not pay heed to us. Now, I feel it is important to create pressure on the top management regarding this issue. Question is, how are we going to do that? Should we approach our HR and lodge a formal complain through them, or should we directly approach the top management and urge them to take necessary steps? Now this is crazy!!! Management accuses the employees of lack of productivity at the slightest of loss or lag, but they don't care to resolve the reason behind this lack of productivity. It is their responsibility to ensure a healthy work-environment for the employees, they can't just demand productivity from the employees without doing that.
Edit:
I forgot to mention one important point. There is actually 2 more washrooms in the 2nd building of our office and that is actually the management section. The washroom crisis I mentioned is in the 1st building which is the development section. However, it is very undesirable that employees are crowding the management section every now and then just to use their washroom, although, thinking of that, I have just got an idea this is exactly the thing we must do to wake them up!!!!!!
1: In Islam, a pre-prayer ablution typically needs the following activities to be done 3 times each - 1. wash both wrists 2. rinse the mouth 3. wash the nose 4. wash entire face including eyebrows, mustaches and beard 5. wash both hands from elbow upto wrists, 6. wash entire head and the earlobes, but only once, 7. wash both feet including the ankles, thrice.
work-environment productivity employees
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
This may sound funny, but in our country, this is a very common phenomenon, i.e. temporary shortage of water supply and the water supply line remaining closed for several hours. However, in a software firm, this scenario is not common, and in no ways desirable.
For almost over a year, we've been facing serious problems while going to the washroom. There are in total 4 washrooms including 1 female washroom, most of the time 2 of them don't have water supply. Only one male washroom and that female washroom have constant water supply and due to this reason, the male washroom always remains occupied in every hours of the day.
Whenever any male employee needs to go to the washroom, he has to wait for a long period of time to get a chance. This seriously reduces productive work hours hence affecting the productivity of our employees. Besides, most of our employees, me inclusive, are Muslims. We are to maintain common hygiene pretty strictly and also perform compulsory ablution1 before every prayer. Since 3 out of 5 of our daily prayer times fall within our office hours (Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib), we need to go to the washroom at least 3 times a day to perform our ablution. The situation gets terrible when we see a huge queue in front of the washrooms before each prayer. Not only do our prayers get delayed, but also our work, our delivery and our meetings. A separate station for ablution (which you can find in almost all mosques) was set up for a brief period of time. Management themselves broke it.
Since we have less number of female employees, and female washroom never loses water supply, there isn't any crowd in front of the female washroom.
Some of our senior employees have already complained to the top management, but they did not pay heed to us. Now, I feel it is important to create pressure on the top management regarding this issue. Question is, how are we going to do that? Should we approach our HR and lodge a formal complain through them, or should we directly approach the top management and urge them to take necessary steps? Now this is crazy!!! Management accuses the employees of lack of productivity at the slightest of loss or lag, but they don't care to resolve the reason behind this lack of productivity. It is their responsibility to ensure a healthy work-environment for the employees, they can't just demand productivity from the employees without doing that.
Edit:
I forgot to mention one important point. There is actually 2 more washrooms in the 2nd building of our office and that is actually the management section. The washroom crisis I mentioned is in the 1st building which is the development section. However, it is very undesirable that employees are crowding the management section every now and then just to use their washroom, although, thinking of that, I have just got an idea this is exactly the thing we must do to wake them up!!!!!!
1: In Islam, a pre-prayer ablution typically needs the following activities to be done 3 times each - 1. wash both wrists 2. rinse the mouth 3. wash the nose 4. wash entire face including eyebrows, mustaches and beard 5. wash both hands from elbow upto wrists, 6. wash entire head and the earlobes, but only once, 7. wash both feet including the ankles, thrice.
work-environment productivity employees
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
edited May 5 '15 at 3:32
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
asked May 4 '15 at 14:46
Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
413417
413417
Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
1
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
2
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
14
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
5
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39
 |Â
show 9 more comments
Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
1
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
2
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
14
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
5
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39
Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
1
1
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
2
2
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
14
14
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
5
5
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39
 |Â
show 9 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
I think a strong business case is pretty easily made to management. "With A number of male Muslim employees, B man hours are taken by call to prayer. C% of B is spent in the washroom queue. The washroom queue in this facility is costing the company $D per year and reduces our ability to meet deadlines. Please consider solution 1, 2, and 3 as a way to increase site productivity."
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I suggest you all present management with a petition requesting that management does whatever it takes to make all washrooms 100% operational. State clearly that the significant wait times for access to the washrooms has an immediate and negative impact on the productivity of the staff.
Personally, thinking about the company's long term welfare - that's just about the last and least thing on my mind when I need to use the washroom and I need to go now :)
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would suggest some sort of water tank be placed in your building. It should hold enough water to cover the down time. Think of it as some sort of buffer. Ideally it will automatically fill as it empties to a certain level.
Make this a team building exercise. You're all intelligent people, figure it out. You may need to go to management for some plumbing parts costs (especially the holding tank).
In a professional office building, everyone should be allowed to maintain hygiene to acceptable standards. It is not too much to ask for. In a shared/public setting, wait-time must be considered. Ideally, you shouldn't have to do this yourself, but your situation may require it unless you want to completely wait on the company to take action.
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Does it have to be water? In canteens and hospitals they have hygiene bottles mounted on the wall so you can clean your hands as you go in. They have some cleaning solution in there.
You could even put water in these - one of those big bottles they have in drinking fountains - and have buckets underneath.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is a very easy case to be brought to upper management here.
"The situation with the bathroom queues right now means X manhours are beeing wasted every day due to waiting times at washrooms. This means the shortfall of washrooms is costing the company Y$ a day. I propose to to reduce this cost factor for the company and increase overall employee satisfaction."
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Simple answer: Just do not tell them. If they keep on asking you about it then let them know gently that you are not going to come down to their level. It will take a little bit of extra effort. Don't go into this thinking that you can fix it without working a few weekends here and there. But eventually things will turn around.
Without knowing your family situation, it's a little hard to give specifics but I imagine something along the lines of "No, and neither does my daughter. Could you kindly leave this issue alone." will suffice.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
suggest improvements |Â
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
I think a strong business case is pretty easily made to management. "With A number of male Muslim employees, B man hours are taken by call to prayer. C% of B is spent in the washroom queue. The washroom queue in this facility is costing the company $D per year and reduces our ability to meet deadlines. Please consider solution 1, 2, and 3 as a way to increase site productivity."
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
I think a strong business case is pretty easily made to management. "With A number of male Muslim employees, B man hours are taken by call to prayer. C% of B is spent in the washroom queue. The washroom queue in this facility is costing the company $D per year and reduces our ability to meet deadlines. Please consider solution 1, 2, and 3 as a way to increase site productivity."
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
up vote
18
down vote
accepted
I think a strong business case is pretty easily made to management. "With A number of male Muslim employees, B man hours are taken by call to prayer. C% of B is spent in the washroom queue. The washroom queue in this facility is costing the company $D per year and reduces our ability to meet deadlines. Please consider solution 1, 2, and 3 as a way to increase site productivity."
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
I think a strong business case is pretty easily made to management. "With A number of male Muslim employees, B man hours are taken by call to prayer. C% of B is spent in the washroom queue. The washroom queue in this facility is costing the company $D per year and reduces our ability to meet deadlines. Please consider solution 1, 2, and 3 as a way to increase site productivity."
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
answered May 4 '15 at 15:53
Myles
25.4k658104
25.4k658104
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
suggest improvements |Â
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
2
2
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
What are the solutions 1,2,3 ?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 16:44
1
1
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
Do nothing and factor in more downtime in project estimates to account for site inefficiencies. Access for regular employees to management washrooms. On site water resevoir to allow for washing in the two currently disabled washrooms (include cost estimate and payback period).
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:00
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
AFAIK we've got a motor pump for getting water even if there's no supply. We can ask the management about the maintenance and proper utilization of it. Can't we?
– Choudhury Saadmaan Mahmid
May 4 '15 at 17:19
2
2
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
Management will listen to "You are wasting this much money by doing nothing." Define the problem and how much it costs before talking about solutions. You need them to be aware and concerned before making suggestions. The suggestion to management should likely be "Investigate if existing water pump supplementation can meet demand and, if not, investigate how to increase capacity." If it's a matter of turn it on and save money, it is a pretty easy management decision. If they are already turning it on to supply the two bathrooms that do get water, then it's a more difficult idea to sell.
– Myles
May 4 '15 at 17:53
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I suggest you all present management with a petition requesting that management does whatever it takes to make all washrooms 100% operational. State clearly that the significant wait times for access to the washrooms has an immediate and negative impact on the productivity of the staff.
Personally, thinking about the company's long term welfare - that's just about the last and least thing on my mind when I need to use the washroom and I need to go now :)
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I suggest you all present management with a petition requesting that management does whatever it takes to make all washrooms 100% operational. State clearly that the significant wait times for access to the washrooms has an immediate and negative impact on the productivity of the staff.
Personally, thinking about the company's long term welfare - that's just about the last and least thing on my mind when I need to use the washroom and I need to go now :)
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I suggest you all present management with a petition requesting that management does whatever it takes to make all washrooms 100% operational. State clearly that the significant wait times for access to the washrooms has an immediate and negative impact on the productivity of the staff.
Personally, thinking about the company's long term welfare - that's just about the last and least thing on my mind when I need to use the washroom and I need to go now :)
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
I suggest you all present management with a petition requesting that management does whatever it takes to make all washrooms 100% operational. State clearly that the significant wait times for access to the washrooms has an immediate and negative impact on the productivity of the staff.
Personally, thinking about the company's long term welfare - that's just about the last and least thing on my mind when I need to use the washroom and I need to go now :)
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
edited May 5 '15 at 5:14
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered May 4 '15 at 22:34
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
suggest improvements |Â
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
Is it the last and least thing on management's mind when you need to use the washroom and you need to go right now?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would suggest some sort of water tank be placed in your building. It should hold enough water to cover the down time. Think of it as some sort of buffer. Ideally it will automatically fill as it empties to a certain level.
Make this a team building exercise. You're all intelligent people, figure it out. You may need to go to management for some plumbing parts costs (especially the holding tank).
In a professional office building, everyone should be allowed to maintain hygiene to acceptable standards. It is not too much to ask for. In a shared/public setting, wait-time must be considered. Ideally, you shouldn't have to do this yourself, but your situation may require it unless you want to completely wait on the company to take action.
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would suggest some sort of water tank be placed in your building. It should hold enough water to cover the down time. Think of it as some sort of buffer. Ideally it will automatically fill as it empties to a certain level.
Make this a team building exercise. You're all intelligent people, figure it out. You may need to go to management for some plumbing parts costs (especially the holding tank).
In a professional office building, everyone should be allowed to maintain hygiene to acceptable standards. It is not too much to ask for. In a shared/public setting, wait-time must be considered. Ideally, you shouldn't have to do this yourself, but your situation may require it unless you want to completely wait on the company to take action.
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I would suggest some sort of water tank be placed in your building. It should hold enough water to cover the down time. Think of it as some sort of buffer. Ideally it will automatically fill as it empties to a certain level.
Make this a team building exercise. You're all intelligent people, figure it out. You may need to go to management for some plumbing parts costs (especially the holding tank).
In a professional office building, everyone should be allowed to maintain hygiene to acceptable standards. It is not too much to ask for. In a shared/public setting, wait-time must be considered. Ideally, you shouldn't have to do this yourself, but your situation may require it unless you want to completely wait on the company to take action.
I would suggest some sort of water tank be placed in your building. It should hold enough water to cover the down time. Think of it as some sort of buffer. Ideally it will automatically fill as it empties to a certain level.
Make this a team building exercise. You're all intelligent people, figure it out. You may need to go to management for some plumbing parts costs (especially the holding tank).
In a professional office building, everyone should be allowed to maintain hygiene to acceptable standards. It is not too much to ask for. In a shared/public setting, wait-time must be considered. Ideally, you shouldn't have to do this yourself, but your situation may require it unless you want to completely wait on the company to take action.
answered May 4 '15 at 18:32
user8365
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
suggest improvements |Â
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
So now you're transferring your software department to your facilities department but instead of the budget of a facilities department (far beyond cost of parts) it's "a team building exercise" and instead of experience, know-how, certifications, etc. it's "intelligent people"?
– user42272
Dec 22 '15 at 15:56
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Does it have to be water? In canteens and hospitals they have hygiene bottles mounted on the wall so you can clean your hands as you go in. They have some cleaning solution in there.
You could even put water in these - one of those big bottles they have in drinking fountains - and have buckets underneath.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Does it have to be water? In canteens and hospitals they have hygiene bottles mounted on the wall so you can clean your hands as you go in. They have some cleaning solution in there.
You could even put water in these - one of those big bottles they have in drinking fountains - and have buckets underneath.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Does it have to be water? In canteens and hospitals they have hygiene bottles mounted on the wall so you can clean your hands as you go in. They have some cleaning solution in there.
You could even put water in these - one of those big bottles they have in drinking fountains - and have buckets underneath.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
Does it have to be water? In canteens and hospitals they have hygiene bottles mounted on the wall so you can clean your hands as you go in. They have some cleaning solution in there.
You could even put water in these - one of those big bottles they have in drinking fountains - and have buckets underneath.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
answered Dec 22 '15 at 9:09
RedSonja
2,20321014
2,20321014
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is a very easy case to be brought to upper management here.
"The situation with the bathroom queues right now means X manhours are beeing wasted every day due to waiting times at washrooms. This means the shortfall of washrooms is costing the company Y$ a day. I propose to to reduce this cost factor for the company and increase overall employee satisfaction."
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is a very easy case to be brought to upper management here.
"The situation with the bathroom queues right now means X manhours are beeing wasted every day due to waiting times at washrooms. This means the shortfall of washrooms is costing the company Y$ a day. I propose to to reduce this cost factor for the company and increase overall employee satisfaction."
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
There is a very easy case to be brought to upper management here.
"The situation with the bathroom queues right now means X manhours are beeing wasted every day due to waiting times at washrooms. This means the shortfall of washrooms is costing the company Y$ a day. I propose to to reduce this cost factor for the company and increase overall employee satisfaction."
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
There is a very easy case to be brought to upper management here.
"The situation with the bathroom queues right now means X manhours are beeing wasted every day due to waiting times at washrooms. This means the shortfall of washrooms is costing the company Y$ a day. I propose to to reduce this cost factor for the company and increase overall employee satisfaction."
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
answered Dec 22 '15 at 12:22
Magisch
16.5k134776
16.5k134776
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Simple answer: Just do not tell them. If they keep on asking you about it then let them know gently that you are not going to come down to their level. It will take a little bit of extra effort. Don't go into this thinking that you can fix it without working a few weekends here and there. But eventually things will turn around.
Without knowing your family situation, it's a little hard to give specifics but I imagine something along the lines of "No, and neither does my daughter. Could you kindly leave this issue alone." will suffice.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Simple answer: Just do not tell them. If they keep on asking you about it then let them know gently that you are not going to come down to their level. It will take a little bit of extra effort. Don't go into this thinking that you can fix it without working a few weekends here and there. But eventually things will turn around.
Without knowing your family situation, it's a little hard to give specifics but I imagine something along the lines of "No, and neither does my daughter. Could you kindly leave this issue alone." will suffice.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Simple answer: Just do not tell them. If they keep on asking you about it then let them know gently that you are not going to come down to their level. It will take a little bit of extra effort. Don't go into this thinking that you can fix it without working a few weekends here and there. But eventually things will turn around.
Without knowing your family situation, it's a little hard to give specifics but I imagine something along the lines of "No, and neither does my daughter. Could you kindly leave this issue alone." will suffice.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
Simple answer: Just do not tell them. If they keep on asking you about it then let them know gently that you are not going to come down to their level. It will take a little bit of extra effort. Don't go into this thinking that you can fix it without working a few weekends here and there. But eventually things will turn around.
Without knowing your family situation, it's a little hard to give specifics but I imagine something along the lines of "No, and neither does my daughter. Could you kindly leave this issue alone." will suffice.
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
answered Dec 22 '15 at 18:13
jmorc
775818
775818
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
suggest improvements |Â
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
1
1
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
This appears to be intended to answer a different question.
– IllusiveBrian
Dec 22 '15 at 18:21
suggest improvements |Â
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Is it by any means possible to use the sink (and perhaps even toilet) in the ladies room? I'm not sure if it's accepted by your company or culture, but this would reduce the queue.
– Edwin Lambregts
May 4 '15 at 15:06
1
How about a bucket, which you ask a woman to fill for you in her washroom, and you take into the male washroom to rinse with - using your own sink? This would solve your immediate crisis and also make visible to management what a stumbling block the water situation is causing.
– Kate Gregory
May 4 '15 at 15:23
2
If the lack of water is an infrastructure problem, it may not be possible for management to solve it themselves. In that case, would it make any sense to request that they provide water bottles to Muslim employees to use for ablution? As a side note, I don't think that regularly losing access to water for a few hours in the middle of the day is desirable for any kind of business.
– IllusiveBrian
May 4 '15 at 15:26
14
I would make a concerted effort to shake management's hands all day. Then go over why you can't wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
– blankip
May 4 '15 at 18:48
5
I think your own suggestion of going over to use the Management bathroom is a great idea. It makes the problem more obvious, and makes it shared. Of course, there is a chance that they will then simply ban the developers from using it :(
– Jane S♦
May 4 '15 at 21:39