ENGLISH NEWS: Uncomfortable Loos At Work A Drastic Measure To Increase Productivity

ENGLISH NEWS: Uncomfortable Loos At Work A Drastic Measure To Increase Productivity Credit: Shutterstock

A SURVEY by Protecting.co.uk carried out in July 2019 across eight UK cities found that some employees were spending up to 28 minutes in the bathroom while at work.

As Euro Weekly News understands, these extended loo breaks are estimated to cost industry and commerce an £4 billion per annum.

It seems the bathroom stops are just an excuse for the employee to get on social media and have a browse through all the platforms.

So the “StandardToilet” has been created by a start-up company of the same name, backed by the British Toilet Association (BTA), a group that campaigns for better bathroom facilities in offices and public spaces.

But than improving bathroom facilities as such, the newly designed toilet with a 13 degree downward tilt are especially designed to become unbearable to sit on after five minutes.

The downward tilt adds an ever increasing strain on the legs, similar to a gentle squat thrust, according Mahabir Gill, brainchild behind the StandardToilet.

The extended office bathroom break could now be a thing of the past thanks to this new toilet the developer says as it will make people want to leave the loo after five minutes.

The Staffordshire based company says it has already had interest from local councils and motorway service stations for the £150 – £500 toilet.

Developers behind the uncomfortable toilet design believe by cutting down on the length of employee bathroom breaks, productivity will improve dramatically.

It is also believed that despite the unbearable sitting position, it is a position that encourages better posture and the engagement of upper and lower leg muscles which helps reduce musculoskeletan disorders.

Medical studies have also suggested that using the traditional WC can cause swollen haemorrhoids and weakening of pelvic muscles.

There are however arguments that extra toilet time is NOT time wasted.

According to Charlotte Jones, co-author of the Around the Toilet project, when interviewed by Wired she believes that using the toilet as a refuge during the workday says more about inadequate workspaces, heavy workloads and unsupportive management, than it does about the workers themselves.

 

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Cristina Hodgson

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments