- The 'StandardToilet' has an 'inconveniently sloped' seat at a 13 degree angle
- This will make it uncomfortable to spend more than five minutes on the toilet
- Developers say this provides some health benefits including improved posture
- They say the main benefit is to employees in improved employee productivity
An extended office bathroom break could be a thing of the past thanks to a new toilet that developers say will make people want to leave the loo after five minutes. The 'StandardToilet', created by a start-up company of the same name, has been backed by the British Toilet Association (BTA), a group that campaigns for better bathroom facilities in offices and public spaces.
A survey by Protecting.co.uk carried out in July 2019 across eight UK cities found that some people were spending up to 28 minutes in the bathroom while at work.
The newly developed toilet seat is sloped forward by about 13 degrees to increase strain on the legs similar to a gentle squat thrust, according to developer Mahabir Gill from StandardToilet. The Staffordshire based company says it has already had interest from local councils and motorway service stations for the £150 - £500 toilet.
They hope to also target offices as they believe cutting down on the length of employee bathroom breaks would dramatically improve productivity. 'It is estimated that in the United Kingdom alone, extended employee breaks costs industry and commerce an £4 billion per annum', Mr Gill said.
'With the advent of flexible zero hour contracts it is easy to see why our StandardToilet can be an asset to a business.' He says it provides health and wellbeing benefits through improved posture and encouraging less time sitting on the toilet. 'Medical studies have suggested that using the traditional WC can cause swollen haemorrhoids and weakening of pelvic muscles. 'The StandardToilet provides Increased comfort through promoting the engagement of upper and lower leg muscles which helps reduce musculoskeletan disorders.'
The toilet has been sloped at 13 degrees as it is inconvenient for the employee but not harmful, in fact it could have some health benefits around improving posture, according to Mr Gill. 'Anything higher would cause wider problems. Thirteen degrees is not too inconvenient, but you'd soon want to get off the seat'. He said he was inspired by time working as an engineer when he would find workers asleep on the toilet or from queues for public restrooms.
'With the advent of flexible zero hour contracts it is easy to see why our StandardToilet can be an asset to a business.' He says it provides health and wellbeing benefits through improved posture and encouraging less time sitting on the toilet. 'Medical studies have suggested that using the traditional WC can cause swollen haemorrhoids and weakening of pelvic muscles. 'The StandardToilet provides Increased comfort through promoting the engagement of upper and lower leg muscles which helps reduce musculoskeletan disorders.'
The toilet has been sloped at 13 degrees as it is inconvenient for the employee but not harmful, in fact it could have some health benefits around improving posture, according to Mr Gill. 'Anything higher would cause wider problems. Thirteen degrees is not too inconvenient, but you'd soon want to get off the seat'. He said he was inspired by time working as an engineer when he would find workers asleep on the toilet or from queues for public restrooms.
Daily Mail Online: "Toilets that are tilted downwards by 13 degrees to stop workers spending too long on the loo"