Doctor Exposes Harsh Workplace Rule Limiting Bathroom Time

A doctor has shared a disturbing case of a patient who developed cystitis due to her company's extreme rule restricting total bathroom time to just 10 minutes per day. Different companies have varying workplace policies depending on their operational context, but all rules must comply with labor laws and social ethics. However, conflicts between corporate policies and employee welfare are not new—many companies exploit loopholes to create rules that disadvantage workers.

Dr. Chutinart Chinudomporn recently posted about a patient dealing with harsh workplace rules. The patient suffered from cystitis and frequently held her bladder because the company banned bathroom visits totaling more than 10 minutes daily. Since her department was five minutes away, the round trip consumed her entire allowance, leaving her too afraid to use the facilities. After the company merged into Thailand's largest telecom operator, such stories became commonplace. A bus company recently prohibited employees from wearing canvas shoes, requiring leather dress shoes instead—resulting in foot pain and blisters, with 500-baht fines for violations. A Japanese-style sushi restaurant required staff to walk continuously without standing still, with supervisors punishing any employee caught stationary. Department store workers face similar restrictions against sitting all day, unable to rest even during quiet periods or meal breaks. Some workers stand for 10+ hours daily, and upon returning home, their legs can barely function.

The post went viral with 2,300 shares and numerous comments. Many people argued that if companies impose such strict rules, they should provide accommodations—for example, if limiting bathroom time to 10 minutes, bathrooms should be located conveniently nearby. Critics noted that Thailand appears to have labor laws only on paper, questioning why basic worker protections remain unenforced.