My husband is on highblood pressure medication. He is working light duty due to a workers' comp claim. The highblook pressure makes him need to go to the restroom several times while at work. Currently he is working three to four hours per day, five days per week. His supervisor has advised him he is no longer allowed to go to the restroom except when he has he now reduced to 10 minute break. We are not sure what avenue he should take, i.e. obtaining a doctor's statement, etc.

His supervisor was previosuly advised of this situation, and it was not a problem until today. He works for a large hotel chain.

He was also given a verbal reprimand for this, which he has refused to sign.

Hope you can help. Thanks in advance.

If the employer does not provide reasonable access to toilet facilities when the employees need to use them, the employer would be in violation of OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) general industry sanitation standard (29 Code of Federal Regulations §1910.141(c)(1)(i)).

The question, though, is what is considered reasonable.

I don't know for sure, but I've been on that type of medication for high BP. It's a diuretic, ergo, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. *sigh*

I don't have a definite answer either.

But I think the employer retains some rights if the number of restroom breaks is interfering with work.

If he seriously has to use the restroom more than once in a 3 hour span, I'd be having a serious talk with the doctor. That just isn't normal. I'm on a medication like that and needing to go that frequently is one of the warning signs you should mention to your doctor.

He can be held responsible for not signing the write up whether he agrees with it or not.

Is it telling that a number of HR professionals are on HBP meds?

Yes, cyjeff, it is. :p Although, theoretically, I'm payroll, not HR. ;)