Workers 'denied loo breaks'

Evidence published by the Unison union yesterday shows that one in four call centre workers are having their toilet time limited.

Seven out of 10 said they suffered eye strain and over half had problems with their hearing and voices.

The study of almost 800 workers found that their health, safety and wellbeing suffered due to the pressurised, target-driven and closely monitored working environment at call centres.

More than 80 per cent said their work caused them to feel stressed, sometimes affecting their personal lives.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the health issues raised showed the "folly" of the government's attacks on health and safety cuts in workplace inspections.

"That this survey has shown more than a quarter have had their basic right to a toilet break restricted or monitored is bad enough, but the physical toll on call workers' eyes, ears and voices - the tools of their trade - is something that managers and organisations cannot ignore," he said.

"Workers rightly expect their employers to have a duty of care not only to their physical health, but also to their mental wellbeing, and the findings of this survey must be addressed urgently.

"The results of this survey should be a wake-up call for call centre employers, and Unison demands that they act now before the situation gets even worse."

willstone@peoples-press.com