The fear of being judged by colleagues for the sounds and smells associated with a poo in the office toilet is leading to health problems from holding it in until after work. — Illustration: Freepik
The least discussed and yet most universal habit of office workers is the subject of a playful yet informative social media campaign going viral in Australia with a taboo-breaking health message: “It’s okay to poo at work.”
Featuring rainbows, dolphins, sparkling hearts and unicorns, a tongue-in-cheek health awareness post by the Australian health department in the state of Queensland has picked up 25,000 likes on Instagram, as well as much local media coverage.
”Lots of people find it difficult to poo in public toilets. But we’re here to tell you it’s definitely okay to go number two at work,” the health agency says.
Its Facebook post meanwhile simply reads: “Pooing at work. Discuss.”
The posts on both social media platform have generated thousands of comments – some of which are equally humorous.
One Facebook user wrote: “Boss makes a dollar, pays me a dime. That’s why I poop on company time.”
The campaign is aimed at addressing the phenomenon of “parcopresis” or poo paranoia, a social anxiety disorder where people fear judgement due to the sounds and smells of using public toilets.
Consistently holding in your poo can lead to serious health issues, from haemorrhoids to severe constipation, says the body, which previously gained note for campaigning against the taboo of masturbation.
Health experts say delaying stool can also lead to constipation and, in the long-term, colon inflammation and incontinence.
The United Kingdom’s National Phobics Society has previously warned that parcopresis sufferers sometimes even alter their diet to try to control their bowel movements.
The Australian campaign has been hailed for its high engagement and bold but light-hearted approach to encourage a “stress-free public toilet poo” experience.
“Remember that everyone poops,” campaigners say.
“Visualise someone famous on the toilet (like Taylor Swift).” – dpa
