Geez Lucy whoever made that decision really wasn't thinking about
the welfare of staff for sure. Regardless of the fact even if all 18 employees were all healthy!
It's tough enough when there is a bathroom with 2 or 3 stalls...but unisex to boot...not a nice thing to do to employees at all. This is unfortunate that you even have to engage in this dialogue and bring up such an obvious inconsideration at the workplace. It certainly puts you in an awkward but necessary position.
If not.....I hope you can transfer....or they can add another bathroom somehow.
Definitely see HR and use the right "buzz words" you are entitled as are the rest of the staff too. Regardless of the number of visits you need to make every day to the toilet then it gives you the additional stress of trying to hurry up in case someone else is waiting which we all know does not work. You need to be able to sit and take the time necessary plain and simple and not deal with anxiety too.
UC and the other types of IBD needs to become more and more out there for the public to develop a better understanding so people stop thinking it's just a temporary "D" type situation and "you'll get over it" mentality.
Good Luck.
61 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 (now UC) & hospitalized 5/07-currently heading towards a remission. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07 Oct 07 feeling quite normal most days. 150mg Imuran Zero mg prednisone 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 1X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, fiber capsule 1x day, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 40 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Cortifoam enema PM, Canasa suppositiry AM, folic acid 1mg, Fosamax 1x month