Why a Washroom Can Decide Whether I Take a Job: A Workplace UX We Don’t Talk About Enough
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Synopsis:
- The Workplace Detail Rarely Spoken About
- Why This Isn’t Just a Washroom
- How a Washroom Changed My Career Choices
- The Unexpected Turn in the Conversation
- Basic Needs Aren’t Bargaining Chips
- The Reality I Noticed
- When It’s Done Right
- Closing Thoughts: The Real Measure of a Workplace
1. The Workplace Detail Rarely Spoken About
This is a topic I wanted to write about for a long time, and now feels like the right moment.
Whenever I search for a job or research an organization, I see the same kind of photos: stylish workstations, ergonomic chairs, lounge sofas, play areas, pantries, canteens, employee celebrations, team trips, awards, and beautifully decorated festivals. It all paints the picture of a lively, vibrant workplace.
But you know the main thing I look for, especially in startups with 0–50 employees?
"The washroom."
Are there separate washrooms for each gender? Are they adequate for the number of people working there?
Here’s why I ask this question and why I’ve been wanting to talk about it.
2. Why This Isn’t Just a Washroom
If you’re thinking, “It’s just a washroom, why make it a big deal?”, here’s why:
A proper washroom facility isn’t about luxury. It’s not even just about convenience. It’s one of the most basic, non-negotiable human needs. It’s about dignity, comfort, and health.
For women, especially during menstruation, the availability, privacy, and cleanliness of a washroom directly impact whether we feel safe, respected, and able to work without stress.
I’m not talking about a huge, Instagram-worthy washroom. I mean a basic, clean, functional one.
We spend almost 8 to 9 hours at the office, using the washroom multiple times a day. For women during menstruation, and those who travel long distances to work, this naturally requires more time and privacy.
Still wondering, “Why make such a big deal?” Let me share my experiences.
3. How a Washroom Changed My Career Choices
Experience 1:
"The washroom."
I once interviewed at a company that looked decent with AC, well-equipped systems, and comfortable chairs. I liked it enough to want to join immediately. I was there for more than half a day.
Then I needed to use the washroom. An employee guided me, and to my surprise, it was a single common washroom for all employees.
They had focused so much on interiors and décor, but overlooked something as basic as this. My mind immediately went to:
How would I manage during my periods?
What if I needed extra time and people were waiting?
With 20–25 employees and one washroom, I honestly wished not to get selected for that role.
Experience 2:
In another company where I actually worked, there was again only one washroom for about 15–20 employees. Meanwhile, the workplace and reception area were quite decent, though not a huge setup. Sometimes, I had to wait in line while my work, emails, and people expecting my tasks to be completed couldn’t wait.
It was exhausting. There were even times I walked for five minutes to my PG to use the washroom and then back to the office. Can you imagine how mentally and physically draining that is during a normal day, and especially during menstruation?
4. The Unexpected Turn in the Conversation
At one point, I raised this concern with one of the company representatives. It wasn’t acknowledged properly and was brushed aside as unimportant.
Later, during a salary discussion, they brought up my earlier washroom request. Then came the unexpected and frankly, shocking manipulative comment:
“In order to get an additional washroom facility and a well-interior, adequately equipped workspace, I would have to adjust with my salary staying the same, or accept that my hike would be affected.”
This was coming from a company that had no problem in budgeting for business parties, team lunches and dinners, and elaborate celebrations. Clearly, fulfilling my request wasn’t a matter of resources. It was a matter of priorities.
So now, to have a basic facility at work, I was expected to lower my salary expectations?
That’s when I realized: asking for one more washroom isn’t a personal preference or luxury. It’s a basic, mandatory need. Yet for some workplaces, it doesn’t even make the priority list.
5. Basic Needs Aren’t Bargaining Chips
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Linking a request for a basic workplace facility with salary negotiation is both unprofessional and unethical.
A Washroom Facility is a legal and basic necessity. Workplace safety laws in many countries mandate adequate washroom access for employees.
Salary is tied to your role and performance, not infrastructure costs. Pay should reflect skills, contribution, and market value — not whether a company chooses to invest in basic infrastructure.
It discourages speaking up. Tying the two together creates a toxic dynamic, discouraging people from raising genuine concerns.
It shows misplaced priorities. If a company can budget for parties, décor, or marketing but treats washrooms as a negotiable cost tied to an individual’s salary, it says a lot about their culture.
Facility-related concerns should be addressed as part of workplace improvement , not used as a bargaining chip in salary talks.
6. The Reality I Noticed
Many startups today are thriving which is great to see. But some things are non-negotiable.
Just as I once silently hoped not to get selected because of a missing basic need, I know others, especially women, have faced the same.
Many organizations invest heavily in visible aspects of workplace experience, the “Instagram mode” corners, events, and branding. But the invisible fundamentals like enough, clean, and accessible washrooms are too often ignored.
7. When It’s Done Right
In some workplaces, washrooms were clean, private, and adequate for the number of employees, regardless of gender. For women, even during their periods, or for those who travel long distances to the office, these facilities give comfort and confidence to come to the workplace.
That’s the power of getting the basics right. It’s not about luxury, it’s about enabling employees to focus on their work without worrying about something as fundamental as using the washroom.
8. Closing Thoughts: The Real Measure of a Workplace
At this moment, I remember an early stage of my career, when one of my managers, while discussing work ethics and the culture of an organization and employees, said a line sharing his experiences related to this topic:
“If you want to know about a company, look at the washroom and how it’s maintained.”
At the time, I thought, “Why?”
My experiences have given me the answer.
The washroom facility, especially in a workplace, can be more important than a stylish chair or décor.
My experiences have given me the answer.
Every organization works hard to satisfy clients, customers, and users.
But in UX, we say, design should start from the user’s real needs. And employees are the first “users” of the workplace.
If a core need is missing, no amount of decoration can fix the experience.
For some including me, a missing washroom facility might mean:
Silently hoping not to get selected for a job there
Choosing not to join or stay long in a company
Feeling anxious every day at work
Silently enduring discomfort
So here’s my question:
- Are we designing workplaces for photos or for people?
- And as an employee or individual in the workplace, have you ever felt the same but never spoken about it?
Because whatever is polished for photos is maintained with effort. But the real measure of a workplace’s care is often in the things that never make it to social media like a clean, adequate washroom.
I'm happy to welcome any thoughts or opinions about this article. Feel Free to share them in the comments.
Thank you!
-Kaarthyka SM
Copyright Notice: © 2025 Kaarthyka_SM. All rights reserved. This blog and its contents are my original work and are protected by copyright law. I retain all rights to edit or modify this content. Images used are either AI-generated, self-edited or sourced from accessible platforms. Unauthorized use or reproduction of this blog is prohibited, and I reserve the right to take action against any infringement.
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