Bathroom Breaks

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shannon-rathe
shannon-rathe Posts: 1
in Employee Relations

What is considered a reasonable amount of time to use the bathroom each individual trip?


Is 20 minutes considered unreasonable and as an employer is it considered discrimination or a violation of labor laws to place a time limit on the length of each bathroom visit?

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  • kathy-martin
    kathy-martin Posts: 2
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    I think the answer depends on your workforce size, how many are breaking at the same time and location and number of facilities. However, I personally feel that 20 minutes is more than reasonable for a regular bathroom trip. Be advised that breaks under 20 minutes must be paid under federal law. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks Check your state's laws on breaks to see if it differs. If you have individuals that need more than 20 minutes, tell them to eat more fiber- just kidding! If someone claims they need more than 20 minutes, engage in that interactive dialogue under the ADA and see if they have a medical condition that may qualify for a longer than 'usual' bathroom accommodation.

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