Toilets might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about workplace inclusion, but accessible and inclusive bathrooms are crucial to the health and wellbeing of employees in many ways.
Employees of all genders, people with disability or health conditions, and people of varied faiths and religions may have different needs when it comes to accessing bathrooms at work. Considering these needs is an important part of providing a safe work environment that supports your employees in all their diversity.
It’s also a legal requirement. Under state and federal occupational health and safety legislation, workplaces are legally obliged to provide inclusive and accessible bathrooms. Safe Work Australia Code of Practice states that “access to safe and clean toilets must be provided for all workers while they are at work”.
Here are just a few examples of things employers need to consider to ensure workplace bathrooms are inclusive and accessible for all employees.
Beyond single-gender bathrooms
Single-gender bathrooms for men and women may not reflect the gender identity of all employees, such as non-binary and gender-diverse people. Equally, bathrooms labelled as ‘unisex’ imply a male/female binary that excludes non-binary and gender-diverse people. DCA recommends ‘all-gender’ as an inclusive term that serves the same purpose.
However, ‘all-gender’ bathrooms must be provided in addition to single-gender bathrooms, not instead of. Women and girls, including trans women and trans girls, may feel safer sharing spaces with people of the same gender, especially for workers who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence. For women and girls, factors such as cleanliness, clear sightlines, location and general security all impact on perceptions of safety (in single-gender and all-gender bathrooms).
“Many people know I work in the realms of LGBTQ+ inclusion so much of my work and conversations lay around the safety and accessibility of spaces that respect people’s identities, their gender in its complete spectrum. There is an intense fascination and oftentimes intent to focus on women with a Trans or Gender Diverse experience and yet we hear little to no commentary on the experiences or concerns of trans men or only complaints that non-binary and agender people can use existing spaces based on their sex assigned at birth.
“Where there is seemingly a clash between beliefs and identity, at what point do we respect an individual? To not judge a woman with a trans experience as different from a woman with a cis experience. To use language around identity that provides dignity and a place to use a bathroom for who we are as people, not parts is to provide safety, dignity and respect.” – Alyce Schotte, Senior Relationship Manager WA/NT, ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs Pride in Diversity.
Supporting multi-faith workplaces
Some workers may only feel comfortable sharing bathroom facilities with people of the same gender due to their cultural or religious beliefs, such as some members of Muslim, Orthodox Jewish and Hindu communities.
“Incorporating the needs of Muslim individuals when considering bathroom dignity is crucial for fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. For many Muslims, cleanliness and personal hygiene are deeply rooted in religious practices, particularly the use of water for purification after using the toilet.
“Providing facilities equipped with bidets or handheld bidet sprays ensures that these religious practices can be observed, promoting comfort and dignity. Such accommodations not only respect the cultural and religious values of Muslim employees and visitors but also underscore the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for diverse needs.” – Maha Abdo, CEO, Muslim Women Australia.
Accessible for everyone
Having accessible toilet facilities significantly improves inclusion of people with a disability at work. However, even accessible toilets won’t be accessible to everyone. Standard ‘unisex accessible’ bathrooms may not meet the needs of all workers with disability, such as people with quadriplegia who may not be able to use upright seated toilets.
“As a wheelchair user, I cannot access most public and private bathrooms throughout Australia. Even supposedly accessible bathrooms can be difficult to use, whether because they are too small, hard to find (tucked away in obscure locations), or doorways are difficult to open.
“Too many businesses presume accessible bathrooms are a waste of space and use them as junk rooms and storage spaces. My friends and colleagues with other disabilities — including those with invisible impairments (never judge a person who doesn’t look disabled exiting an accessible bathroom) — also need access to clean and spacious rooms where we can manage the peculiarities of our bodies.” – Dr Shane Clifton, School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney.
More than just a toilet
Workers may require sanitary bins and access to sanitary products that aren’t available in the bathroom designated for their gender
“We believe that being a workplace with menstrual equity is a win-win for all. It is one of the lowest cost, highest impact efforts that could be made to support the people who menstruate in the workplace.
“I also believe that everyone in the workplace should be educated around menstruation to ensure great management of all individual staff. Our recent Bloody Big survey with 153,621 responses when released will show the alarming statistics relating to periods in the workplace.” – Rochelle Courtenay, Founder & Women’s Equality Advocate, Share the Dignity.
DCA members can find out more about inclusive bathrooms by watching a recording of our recent webinar on bathroom dignity.
You can also read more about inclusive bathrooms on DCA’s D&I Planning page.
Useful resources and information:
- The Conversation, Bathrooms are political: how gender-inclusive toilets can combat indignity and violence
- InterBuild, Is your building inc-loo-sive?
- Safe Work Australia, Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
- Australian Human Rights Commission, Creating an accessible and inclusive workplace
- Transhub, Bathrooms
- Access Institute, Toilets for everybody: a right not a privilege