16.5% are unhappy with the condition of their workplace toilets

Do your staff seem unhappy at work despite the many benefits you offer? The problem might lie with the office toilets.

According to a research by the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors, 16.5% of  workers stated that the current condition of their workplace toilets negatively impacts their happiness at work.

Surveying over 1,000 workers in England and Wales, the research noted that this figure rose to 20% in Wales and to 20.9% in the South-East of England.

The research further found that 43.8% of respondents felt their workplace toilets needed to be better maintained, while 44.4% said their workplace toilets require updating or refurbishing.

Interestingly, despite being the capital of England, London seems to have the worst workplace toilets with 50.9% of workers surveyed believing they need to be better maintained and require refurbishing.

Digging deeper, some specific responses from the survey about the poor state of workplace toilets included there being bad smells, cracked tiles, broken toilet seats, toilet bowls, sinks and taps, poorly flushing toilets and tired and dirty decor.

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John Thompson, chief executive of APHC, commented: "There are too many employers who are seemingly neglecting the up-keep and maintenance of their toilet facilities.

He pointed out that in the UK, employers have a legal requirement to adhere to. The Health & Safety Executive state that where it is reasonably practicable, employers have to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities for employees. "In 2010, a businessman was fined £30,000 because he failed to ensure that his premises were equipped with clean and functioning toilet and welfare facilities," Thompson said.

Over and above all legal requirements, Thompson felt that employers have a moral duty to provide clean, safe and well maintained toilet facilities.

"From a commercial point of view, investment in employee well-being is crucial for a business in order to be successful, as an unhappy workforce can cost employers dearly in reduced productivity, low quality levels, increased sick-leave and in staff turnover with the recruitment and training of new members of staff."

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