According to this report by Roll on Friday, a receptionist formerly employed by a major US law firm is suing the firm, saying she had no choice but to wet herself.
Rebecca Landrith was employed by Littler Mendelson, a leading employment law firm. She claimed
there was no other receptionist and that the firm had no "consistent policy or procedure as to when or how [she] could take a restroom break".
The Washington Business Journal's report on the incident says that Ms Landrith claims that "impromptu requests" for cover by employees - such as lawyers - elicited mostly resentment and condescension.
Rather than raising a formal complaint (in New Zealand, an employee might also try an unjustified disadvantage or constructive dismissal claim), she chose what might be called the nuclear option.
She was subsequently dismissed, and is suing her former employer for US $1.59million.
Good luck.
Greg Cain
Greg Cain is an employment lawyer at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.
Photo/ Bay of Plenty Times
