Filipino fired for 'un-Australian toilet habits'
01/28/2009 | 02:56 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino in Australia was fired for his toilet habits which have reportedly become a “serious health risk," an online report said on Tuesday.
The Townsville Bulletin reported that Byron Carter, manager of Townsville Engineering Industries, said the toilet habits of 43-year-old machine operator Amador Bernabe posed a “serious health risk" to his other employees.
Apparently, Bernabe’s technique in cleansing himself with water after his toiletry visits often leaves wet soggy toilet paper lying on the floor and the toilet cubical splashed with water, which the report said was suspected to be contaminated with feces.
“Other employees complain about the mess and the possible spread of disease and will not use the cubicles until they are cleaned and disinfected," he said.
Carter said that on one occasion, the Filipino worker was instructed to clean up the mess he made in the toilet cubicle because it was not acceptable to leave it in such a state.
“[Bernabe] was urged to carry out his toiletry functions in the Australian way in order to prevent contamination of the toilet cubicle and upsetting other users of the facilities," he said.
But despite being counseled about the matter many times, Carter said Bernabe did not change his ways, prompting other staff members to raise health and hygiene issues against him.
“The issue concerning [Bernabe] is not about toilet etiquette, it is about hygiene and the health of other employees. The continuation of [Bernabe’s] toiletry habits poses an unnecessary health risk to other employees and cannot be accepted," he said in the report.
Carter denied that Bernabe was sacked and actually left on his own.
“[Bernabe] was given the opportunity to clean up his toiletry habits or he would be terminated. He was told the choice was his. After a heated discussion with the workshop foreman, [Bernabe] left his place of work without notice and has not been back to work," he said. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan and JAT, GMANews.TV
The Townsville Bulletin reported that Byron Carter, manager of Townsville Engineering Industries, said the toilet habits of 43-year-old machine operator Amador Bernabe posed a “serious health risk" to his other employees.
Apparently, Bernabe’s technique in cleansing himself with water after his toiletry visits often leaves wet soggy toilet paper lying on the floor and the toilet cubical splashed with water, which the report said was suspected to be contaminated with feces.
“Other employees complain about the mess and the possible spread of disease and will not use the cubicles until they are cleaned and disinfected," he said.
Carter said that on one occasion, the Filipino worker was instructed to clean up the mess he made in the toilet cubicle because it was not acceptable to leave it in such a state.
“[Bernabe] was urged to carry out his toiletry functions in the Australian way in order to prevent contamination of the toilet cubicle and upsetting other users of the facilities," he said.
But despite being counseled about the matter many times, Carter said Bernabe did not change his ways, prompting other staff members to raise health and hygiene issues against him.
“The issue concerning [Bernabe] is not about toilet etiquette, it is about hygiene and the health of other employees. The continuation of [Bernabe’s] toiletry habits poses an unnecessary health risk to other employees and cannot be accepted," he said in the report.
Carter denied that Bernabe was sacked and actually left on his own.
“[Bernabe] was given the opportunity to clean up his toiletry habits or he would be terminated. He was told the choice was his. After a heated discussion with the workshop foreman, [Bernabe] left his place of work without notice and has not been back to work," he said. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan and JAT, GMANews.TV