I work at a restaurant in Chandler, Arizona. Recently, the GM and a line cook (poorly) renovated what was the men's bathroom into our lunch/breakroom. They replaced the previously existing break area with shelving full of to-go containers.
Until about a week ago, the open hole from where the toilet was remained in the ground, they simply added a counter above it and this is where we are expected to eat. Since, they have covered the hole with a plastic cover from a 5-gallon bucket, however, I have a lot of concerns about sewer gas (idk if those are valid concerns though, pls educate me).
Additionally, we now only have one, single bathroom which men and women are supposed to share. Management is also aware that an employee is smoking unknown substances (not nicotine or weed, think burning Pine-Sol smell) in the bathroom and does nothing to remedy the situation, exposing us all to the fumes.
I can't imagine what customers would think if they were aware that their servers, cooks, and dishwashers were in the back, eating in a bathroom over an open toilet hole.
This is one of about a million shady things this restaurant has done, but I'm wondering if I have a leg to stand on with this one. (Don't get me started on the cockroach/rat infestations). My last day is fast arriving but I don't want to see my friends/co-workers forced to endure such an unsanitary situation.
Please advise! Tia
TL;DR GM and line cook poorly rennovate men's bathroom into the only available lunch room, simply installing a counter over an open toilet hole.