First time posting, but y'all have inspired me so much from reading this sub. I'm lucky to have a pretty supportive workplace, but I've definitely got some stories.
I work as a floor lead at a small retail operation. As far as I'm concerned, my job is 100% to support my fellow staff in whatever way I can. This has allowed me to build an amazing rapport with pretty much everyone.
Ealier this week our Receptionist asked if I could cover for her for a few minutes so she could use the bathroom, and that she said she had been trying to hold it in but couldn't. At first, I was really confused because I try to make it clear to all the staff that I will cover them for 5 minutes literally whenever they need it, no sweat.
After she came back (I was like “I'm confused but you should go and we can figure this out after”) she clarified she had been hesitant because we were almost closed and she felt bad for having to step away so many times that day.
My response was, “This isn't fucking urinetown! When you need to go, all you gotta do is tell us you are going and we will make sure it's covered. Especially in an emergency!”
Y'all – I don't care if we just opened, about to close, or if we have a rush; hell I don't care if the CEO is there. When you gotta go, you gotta go. And every person at every company should know that.