Do you poo at work? Heeding the ‘call to stool’ is important – even if you’re at the office

‘There’s a distaste around talking about poo … But this bodily function, like our naked bottoms, needs occasional time in the sun.’ Photograph: Kangah/Getty Images/Vetta

In her book Stoic at Work, Annie Lawson tells the story of a colleague of hers hearing someone eating pretzels while sitting on the toilet:

“The person holed up in a toilet cubicle – a senior leader – was gnawing on them like a squirrel, taking several bites per pretzel while doing his business. Then his phone rang and he answered. He was the ultimate multi-tasker. My colleague was at the sink washing his hands when he heard a flush and the senior leader emerged from the cubicle with an empty pretzel packet. He nodded, dropped the pretzel packet in the bin and walked out without washing his hands.”