Should Male Staff Inspect Ladies’ Lavatories?
@arthurchappell (45002)
Preston, England
September 25, 2015 9:09am CST
I was at Manchester Central Library recently when security staff decided to do a ‘routine’ inspection of the ladies’ lavatories. I was using a computer located close to the lavatories. A male security guard pounded on the door to the ladies’ to announce that he was coming in and then barged right in. One woman reacted angrily as she came out that, stating that their toilets should be inspected by women, not men. The guard looked at me with raised eyebrows as if questioning her sanity and expecting moral support from me. He was quite taken aback when I told him that I fully agreed with her. He stomped off in a huff.
Surely toilet inspections and cleaning sessions should be conducted by the same gender as the facilities are intended for to save embarrassment or fears of voyeurism.
Arthur Chappell
8 people like this
7 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Sep 15
I have worked in places that had only male maintenance workers. Generally, they stand outside the ladies' room and ask anyone going in or out how many are in there and when they are sure it is empty, they go in and put up a sign to make sure everyone knows they are there. Usually they left the door open, too. Just knocking and barging in is not the way to do it. I agree that his behavior was unacceptable, but there are ways for males to clean the lavatories without intruding on someone who expected privacy.
6 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
25 Sep 15
that is a good practical common sense solution to the situation yes.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
26 Sep 15
this is exactly the point I was trying to make, sometimes it has to be done that way, but it needs to be polite and respectful, just as if a woman had to clean the mens room.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (80122)
• United States
24 Nov 15
@rollo1 you summed up exactly what I was going to say
@MoonHowler17 (101)
• Ballina, Australia
25 Sep 15
I don't object to male cleaners cleaning ladies facilities since women use cubicles. However, I agree with @Rollo1. Some manners and asking how many are inside before entering is more acceptable behaviour.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
26 Sep 15
some places the custodial staff may be all men or all women. Dad has ran into that, when he had to clean the bathrooms after an event (park ranger). if the building was cleared and closed he'd knock, just incase and then open the door, speak again (Speak or forever hold your pee was said a few times to me rolling my eyes). If it was open and there was a better chance of a person being in there, he'd ask someone as they came out if anyone else was in there, or send me in to scout for him,
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
25 Sep 15
I don't have any issue with this type of thing. Nobody seems to have cared that women clean men's toilets so why should we object the other way round? It's just not practical unless it's a really large building with lots of toilets to have a male and female cleaner to do them.
It does sound though like this guy was a bit heavy handed in inconsiderate.
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 Nov 15
As long as there are female employees on staff, it should be females doing the checking @arthurchappell . But what about the new laws trying to get passed (USA) that will allow transgenders to utilize either bathroom? That could become a nightmare all in itself.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
24 Nov 15
that will create a complication, though I expect most transgenders will favour the facilities of the gender they are choosing to be a member of, so a male to female cross dresser or gender-adjustment is more likely to use the lady's room
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 Nov 15
@arthurchappell Good point; very true.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
27 Sep 15
Anyone can dress up as a cleaning staff and be up to mischief. I agree with you.
1 person likes this
