When people can't go to the bathroom when they need to, it can lead to serious physical problems, including kidney disease. It is also a fundamental matter of human dignity.

Workers who know they will not be able to use the bathroom often drink and eat less tha they should. This can make it hard to do their jobs and pay attention so that there are no mistakes or injuries. In hot workplaces, drinking a lot of liquids is very important to protect our bodies from dangerous heat-related problems.

Workers in the U.S. have a right under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to go to the bathroom when they need to. Read more under Bathroom Breaks in the Resource Box.