Workstipation

That’s a term coined by laxative brand MiraLAX for the stress associated with pooping at the office, resulting in “a backed-up gut”, and it is claimed to be a widespread condition.  Excerpts from a press release:

A new survey commissioned by MiraLAX^® found one in five American office workers cited having to use the office bathroom as a prime reason they are stressed about the return to the office amid the pandemic, with the prospect causing some dire effects on their digestive health. In fact, 66% of Americans admit to holding in their bowel movement at work to avoid using the workplace restroom. As a result, this has caused a staggering 64% of workers to become constipated.

The survey also found that American workers note that they would feel more comfortable pooping at work if there were completely private stalls with no gaps (51%), ultra-soft toilet paper (43%), a speaker system with music (38%) and clean toilet seat covers (38%).

Armed with those findings, the brand has launched a campaign supposedly aimed at “empowering officegoers to advocate for better conditions and etiquette in their workplace bathroom.”  One of the more creative aspects of the campaign is  a scented, multipurpose poster that can be “strategically torn to improve one’s pooping experience”.  It can be cut into a toilet seat cover, and into strips to cover wide stall gaps.  In addition, it carries a Spotify code that can be used to play relaxing sounds.