In the past, employees were permitted to make trips to the
restrooms under informal guidelines. Effective Immediately, a
Restroom Trip Policy (RTP) will be established to provide a
consistent method of accounting for each employee's restroom time
and ensuring equal treatment of all employees. In addition, this
policy will afford employees more options by permitting them to
wight their need to relieve themselves with the desire for
additional vacation time.
Under this policy, a "Restroom Trip Bank (RTB)" will be
established for each employee. On the first day of the month,
employees will be given a Restroom Trip Credit of 20, each good for
one three-minute restroom visit. Restroom trip credits can be
accumulated from month to month, and unused time may be applied
towards vacation. Employees who provide objective medical evidence
of a history of bladder control and/or other digestive disorders
will be granted 30 Restroom Trip Credits.
Currently the entrances to all restrooms are being equipped
with Personnel Identification Stations (PIS) and computer-linked
voice print recognition devices. During the next two weeks, each
employee must provide two copies of voice prints (one normal, one
under stress) to Personnel. The voice print recognition stations
will be operational, but not restrictive, for the month of
December; employees should acquaint themselves with the stations
during that period. The System will become fully operational at
12:01 AM on the first of the New Year.
If an employees RTB balance reaches zero, the doors to all the
restrooms will remain locked for that employee's voice until the
first of the next month.
In addition, all restroom stalls are being fitted with timed
paper-roll retractors. If the stall is occupied for more than
three minutes, an alarm will sound. Thirty seconds after the alarm
sounds, the paper roll will retract, the toilet will flush, and the
door will automatically open.
If you have any questions about the new policy, please see
your manager immediately.
The Management.
1. What is the new Restroom Trip Policy Productivity Program?
The RTP Productivity Program is a new program that will
improve productivity by monitoring restroom trips against a
monthly balance.
2. Who is affected by the RTP Productivity Program?
All exempt, no-exempt, regular, supplemental, part-time, and
co-ops as well as vendors working either part- or full-time in
IBM owned buildings in which IBM business is conducted.
3. What are the details of the plan?
The details of the plan are available from plan details
previously and/or planned for release.
4. Do I have the option of joining the Plan?
No!
5. How does this program compare to those in place at other
companies around the industry?
While it may be that there are more flexible such programs in
place at organizations similar to our own, this formalization
of the previously informal restroom policy is in line with
other benefits packages available in the industry. Our
overall package remains world class in providing our employees
with the personal time they need to attend to bodily
functions.
6. What is the RTB?
The RTB (Restroom Trip Bank) is a credit system set aside for
each employee which covers restroom visits.
7. How many credits do I get?
If you are an employee with "normal" bladder and bowel
function, you will receive 20 credits per month.
8. What if I wear protective undergarments?
Those employees who can objectively demonstrate a
bladder/digestive disorder with medical evidence will be given
30 credits per month.
9. What's a credit?
A credit represents on 3-minute bathroom visit.
10. What if I use up all of my credits?
An employee who runs out of credits in the RTB must hold it in
until quitting time. Employees who anticipate a problem with
the plan in this regard are advised to buy Thigh Master.
11. Can I borrow credits?
Under extreme cases of temporary medical emergency, such as
those requiring extra-strength trench firming agents,
employees may be permitted to borrow against their Department
Emergency Fund.
12. What is the Department Emergency Fund?
The Department Emergency Fund was just developed to answer the
last question and has not been further defined.
13. Can I save unused credits?
Unused credits can be saved in the RTB and may be applied
toward vacation time.
14. How do RTB credits apply toward vacation time?
Each RTB credit may be applied toward 3 minutes of vacation.
Note that employees who do elect not to relieve themselves on
company time will receive the equivalent of 60 minutes
additional vacation per month.
15. Can I turn in my RTB balance for the cash equivalent?
No.
16. Can I still use any restroom?
You can use any restroom once you have submitted your two
voice prints to Personnel (one normal, one under stress).
17. Are all IBM locations participating in this program?
We are not interested in the operating procedure of other
locations.
18. When does the program begin?
The program begins at 12:01 AM on the first of the new year.
The system will be operational for employees to gain
experience by December 1.
19. What happens if I need more than three minutes?
Restroom Trips are limited to three minutes. If the stall is
occupied for more than three minutes, an alarm will sound.
Thirty seconds after the alarm sounds, the paper roll will
retract, the toilet will flush, and the door will open
automatically.