Unless you work from home, you are frequently confronted with one of the most awkward daily tasks known to human kind: using the office bathroom. In an office building, the bathroom situation can vary widely, from having large accommodations and separate male and female facilities to a tiny single room that is used by everyone. Whichever situation you find yourself in, here are a few tips for men and women on practice proper office bathroom etiquette.
Wash Your Hands
Ideally, hand washing should already be part of your restroom routine. Keeping your hands clean prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause most common illnesses. The Center for Disease Control recommends using warm water and soap, rubbing your hands to form a lather for 15-20 seconds, then rinsing well with water and drying with a paper towel or hand dryer. Alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative solution should no soap be available. Cleaning your hands often will reduce the amount of germs that are spread around the office and aid in keeping you and your co-workers healthy.
Be Considerate
Everyone hates getting stuck in a public bathroom with no toilet paper. If you are doing your business and notice that the roll is getting dangerously low, replace it or notify those responsible for doing so. The same rule applies if the paper towels or soap are running short. Try to leave the bathroom in a neutral state, which means putting the toilet seat down if you lifted it and wiping up any erroneous water droplets around the sink. If there is a toilet brush nearby, it is there for a reason; no one wants to see evidence of your visit. Consideration will go a long way towards preventing you or your colleagues from becoming stranded in the , as well as to make your stay there a little more bearable.
Be Discreet
Visiting the office bathroom can be embarrassing enough; there is no need to advertise it.
Don't announce to your coworkers that you have to go; they will know where you are headed if you excuse yourself, they just don't want to think about it. In a situation where the stall you need is occupied, The International Center for Bathroom Etiquette recommends not hovering around waiting for the stall to open. Simply come back at a later time or find another bathroom. The site also suggests keeping bathroom conversations to a minimum. Public restrooms are no place for a private conversation. You never know who may overhear your conversations and jeopardize your standing in the office. Don't do business while you are "doing your business."
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