I am a 911 operator/dispatcher for a law enforcement agency in oklahoma and there is ony one dispatcher at a time on staff and we answer calls for the entire county. We work eight hour shifts. I sat here for 5 hours before I asked for a break to go use the restroom. I was given a 5 minute break in my entire shift 8 hour shift to go use the restroom and get a drink of water. I cannot leave my desk to go use the restroom as needed because if an emergency call comes in I cannot answer the call if I'm in the restroom. I asked an Officer to come in to let me use the restroom and he was verbally reprimanded by his ranking Officer for giving me the bathroom break and he was told not to come in and relieve me again. The Officer is trained to handle my job if needed. I then requested an Officer to come in 2 hours later so I could use the restroom for the 2nd time in my 8 hour shift and no one would show up. Therefore I sat here needing to use the restroom and had to wait until my relief came on duty and hour later. My question is if I have to use the restroom and I go leaving the 911 unattended, will I be liable if an emergency call comes in and I'm not available to take the emergency call because my employer (Chief of Police) doesn't give me a rest/meal breaks. I don't want to be sued and/or be held liable for any tax paying citizen that may need fire/medical/police help and I'm not at my desk to take this call. I find it impossible to sit at a job for 8 hours and not use the restroom. Thanks for your assistance in this matter.

I turned down a dispatcher position recently because of this very reason. There is NO WAY I could go without a bathroom break for 8 hours. It should be against the law!

OSHA requirements provide that you must be given "adequate" time to use the restroom. There is NO one else there that can cover? OK law does not require rest breaks/meal periods for adult employees.

I'd be turning down that job, too. :(

There is nobody else to cover so you have to contact a cop and have him/her take time away from their duties so that you can take care of your business.
The place I applied was in a dark basement where I would have been locked in for 8 hours all alone. Kind of spooky. Had I taken the position I guess I would have had to tinkle in a bucket or something. lol It is unhealthy to go so long without a break.

Our local police department only has one dispatcher at a time. They also have a portable phone and radio that the ladies can take into the restroom as well. Suggest that to the Chief and if he says NO. Then say "Goodbye".
Plenty of departments in OK treat their dispatchers with respect.

Would just like to point out that the initial post in this thread is from nine months ago.

Sorry, I completely missed that. :o

One more point, though. If I'm calling 911, do I REALLY want to hear somebody doing their business in the restroom? EEEEEWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

Geez, I missed the 9 months. I'd rather listen to them do there bizz then not have the phone answered at all.