There is outrage amongst the 60 staff currently working at the ‘999’ call centre this morning, as they claim they are being unfairly treated like schoolchildren after their employers issued a notice informing them that they have to ask permission in order use the lavatory.
The staff based at three call centres in Ballyshannon, Navan, and Clontarf, claim that the company who deals with emergency calls in Ireland Conduit, are treating their workers unfairly by ordering them to report to senior management before and after their visits to the loo. The angry workers also claim that they are only allowed seven minutes for a toilet break and must actively seek permission from senior management if they require more time. It is also understood, that only one emergency call operator is allowed to take a toilet break at any one time. Angry staff also say one worker is also prohibited from using the toilet for an hour of each working day, which consists of a half hour at each end of their shift.
The scandalous and shocking regime has angered Ian McArdle of the Communications Workers Union who slammed the policy saying it’s a disgrace, Mr McArdke also said the extreme rules has its effects one worker who is pregnant, and needs to use the toilet regularly, and another staff member who has prostate issues. Mr McArdle also claims that staff have been regularly threatened with severe disciplinary action if they break the enforced toilet break rules. Mr McArdle further explained that staff believe the new system is “grotesque, disgusting and insulting to a group of adults who work hard to help save lives by answering 999 calls”.
According to a number of staff members the new toilet policy was only introduced after they revealed that they would ballot for industrial action last week, over their pay and conditions. Staff members say the extreme policy is an act of retaliation by a management regime that “refuses to respect employees”.