able accommodations. The fate of this decision oen hinges on company cul- ture, work crew dynamics and the fear of losing their job. Arborists looking to make the best of it may try and “hold it” longer. Others may reduce the amount of water they drink to cut down on the number of bathroom trips. Eventually, some may realize the sacrifices aren’t worth it and just quit. Facing a shortage of quality labor and high employee turnover rates, many businesses are recognizing the need to step up their game in the bathroom department. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS While talking about bathroom needs can make any employer or manager squirm, it’s still an important conver- sation to have. "It’s almost like giving [workers] per- mission,” says McNeill. “It's making people aware that it’s OK to leave the job site. In fact, we encourage that.” Few businesses have to consider the impact of a bathroom break like a tree service company. To these business owners, it’s not just about providing employees with privacy and sanitation. It’s also the time and money involved in doing it. The time and cost of a single 20- to 30-minute bathroom break can quickly add up. “To a certain degree, I don’t think tree care employers have even thought about what it costs,” says Gary Maur- er, president of Green Pro Solutions, which provides equipment and sup- plies for tree care professionals. Maurer estimates that the need for employees to find a suitable bath- room can cost a tree care service thousands of dollars each year. It’s part of the reason his company devel- oped a removeable toilet system that can be mounted inside of chip trucks and Sprinter vans favored by mobile work crews.
Green Pro Solutions created a universal toilet seat frame that can latch onto the inside of a chip truck or other locations. Photo courtesy of Green Pro Solutions.
For the most part, managing these breaks is an accepted part of the job. You deal with it and move on, maybe swap funny bathroom stories at the end of the day. But there are other parts that aren’t so funny, like unsanitary working conditions, an uncomfortable lack of privacy or a possible citation for public urination. For women arborists, going to the bathroom on the job poses additional challenges that require careful plan- ning. While men have been known to casually pee on the side of a tree, a woman may need to scale down 50 feet, fumble with gear and bulky
clothing, and calculate severe pitch- es to avoid soiling their shoes. Then there’s the added matter of attending to one’s menstrual needs throughout the day. “When women are on tree crews, [bathroom needs] can become an is- sue,” McNeill says. “They may not feel comfortable asking for permis- sion to leave.” Suffice it to say, every arborist has a limit on the conditions they’re willing to accept. When comfort levels are breached, an employee faces a tough choice: suffer through or demand suit-
34 | ArborTIMES Summer 2023
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