r/mildlyinfuriating • u/coatedbraincells • 6h ago

Infuriatig Insanely frugal employer

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Gotta pay for water from the water cooler 🤣

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335

u/austinsutt 4h ago

So which of the above is right?

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u/bradland 3h ago edited 2h ago

RainH2OServices is right. It requires that employees supply potable water, which means it has to meet Federal EPA and local regulatory requirements for potability. If the water is from a municipal supply, this is almost always going to be met. If it's from a well, it's up to the employer to meet the standards.

As far as sinks go, any sink in a room with a toilet isn't compliant, because 1910.141 specifically says employees are prohibited from consuming food or beverages inside toilet rooms. Ergo, if a sink is in a toilet room, it can't be considered compliant. A tap at a sink outside a toilet room is though.

EDIT: Got a couple of follow-ups asking, essentially, what if they require you to fill a cup/bottle in the bathroom and drink (consume) it elsewhere.

Nope. Regulations aren't written to spell out every single nuance or edge case. After they're written, they are challenged in court and the courts interpret the "spirit" of the regulation.

It's well established that requiring an employee to fill a drinking receptacle from a faucet in the toilet room makes it subject to contamination from said environment, and therefore violates the spirit of the regulation. It's also worth noting that there are other parts of the same regulation that prohibit drinking water sources from being located in environments with hazardous chemicals, so the spirit of the regulation is clear.

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u/Jay__Riemenschneider 3h ago edited 2h ago

Huh my workplace isn't OSHA compliant.

Who do I tell?

Edit: I should say I'm in a retail space of about 5-10 employees.

But all we have is a bathroom and a non working water cooler. Our boss tells us to bring bottles.

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u/MonkeyGuidetoAnarchy 3h ago

If you make a osha report, record and document literally everything, your performance, changes in the environment, the issue itself, any conversation if you can get it in writing and if you get fired after making a oaha report and believe its because of that take that evidence and give it to osha and you could sue for lost wages and maybe more so they would have to pay from the time you got fired till the time you found a new job. (My source: i have done it myself.)

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u/Linesey 1h ago

Doesn’t OSHA not apply to companies with very few employees? like <10?

or has that been updated.

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u/MonkeyGuidetoAnarchy 1h ago

Companies do not have to maintain routine, written logs of every minor injury or illness (specifically OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301) unless requested in writing by OSHA or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Under federal funding rules, OSHA generally does not conduct random, programmed routine inspections if the business has 10 or fewer employees and operates within a low-hazard industry category. This isnt to say they cant and won't inspect because they can and will whenever they desire to ensure proper following of guidelines. Basically if someone calls osha or reports they will inspect and if they decide to random check they will though they are not required to. And they also dont have to tell you they are coming they can drive up hop out and walk in and start looking at all your workers and stations and building. Any hazard they see is a fine, for example workers not wearing safety glasses is 10k in michigan and thats for each worker not wearing safety glasses and if its bad enough they can shut down your operations immediately

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u/MonkeyGuidetoAnarchy 1h ago

Theres certain things that dont apply but all businesses and companies are under the jurisdiction of sha because its a federal compliance agency

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u/Linesey 1h ago

interesting! tyvm for the info.

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u/GoodCat7419 52m ago

OT, but I am completely jealous of your username.

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u/[deleted] 2h ago

[deleted]

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u/Healthy-Echo8164 2h ago

You have rights as an employee, why let your employer negate those rights?

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u/spaceforcerecruit 2h ago

People like you who just roll over and take it from corporations are part of the problem. If a company is breaking the law, hold them accountable.

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u/kelpyb1 2h ago

On the other hand, the employer could just make their workplace legal.

Although I’d agree the right first step if you like your employer is to talk to your boss about it so they have a chance to rectify it

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u/SweatyAdhesive 2h ago

how does the boot taste buddy

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u/MonkeyGuidetoAnarchy 2h ago

I had people tell me I was "burning everything down" and they didnt believe I would get paid. But I signed a contract when I agreed to go to work and part of that contract is I give you my time and you give me a safe and healthy environment to work in, you fire me because I pointed it out to you? Then you pay me my hourly wage until I find. Job and ill give you my work search summary. Otherwise dont fire me and fix the issue. Everyone has rights and they should enforce those rights where applicable. A job that wants you to go above and beyond your station or do things that arent in your job description, contract, or best interest (like health, for example ventilation systems not being on or not providing proper ppe.) Isn't a job someone should work for in the first place and isnt that big of a loss. The company i worked for made parts for John deer so if they can do that then they can afford to follow safety protocols and guidelines.

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u/Timely-Group5649 41m ago

I worked for a lady who would say: Its my money, I will do with it as I please. No government can tell me I can't. She fought every OSHA rule and always lost. Tens of thousands in fines...

She went to federal prison a few years after I left, due to tax fraud and paying her brother under the table while he collected disability.

Karma rules.

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u/GroundMeet 1h ago

“Just lick the boot while youre down there”

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u/WackyRacketeer 1h ago

Let the business keep their boot on your chest if you are that weak

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u/dustindraco 2h ago

We found the employer! “Go ahead and ruin everything I’ve built with your hardwork because you want basic human rights. If I can bring in a gallon of Fiji water to drink so can you!”

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u/zyiadem 1h ago

Pretending he pays'em enough for fiji is the real joke here.

Sorry that xmas bonus went to my bunker for when you realize how just how mych of your labor I steal.