Work enables us to contribute to society and support ourselves and our families. It is not a place where we need to be preoccupied with bladder worries. Follow these tips to help you concentrate on your job and worry less about your bladder;
Stick to a schedule, try and have regulated catheter breaks throughout the day and link these in with your usual routine, for example, toilet visits during your morning/lunch/afternoon tea breaks.
It is your choice whether to tell your boss about self-catheterising and may depend on how much this impacts on your day-to-day responsibilities. It might be a good idea if you need fixed toilet breaks, or if you suddenly need to leave a prolonged meeting or task to catheterise.
Ensure your workplace has accessible toilet facilities. Employers have a duty to employees to provide adequate and accessible toilet facilities and running water. If these things are not in place, your employer could be in breach of health and safety regulations.
A small inconspicuous kit is sufficient to take to the bathroom, but a few additional
items in your desk, locker, or car in case of leaks is sensible. Having spare catheters on hand at work or in your car is also a good idea so you don’t run short.
It can be easy to either drink too much or not enough during your workday. Try and monitor fluid intake and keep it regular. Try to limit fluids which will potentially irritate your bladder and make you pee more, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks.
We hope these tips will help make catheterisation fit seamlessly into your workday. If you do need more advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out.