I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with obesity. This jerk’s regularly messing up things knowing that later in the day some poor schmuck is going to sit it in. Sounds like a fethish-grade problem to me. People with fetishes only have a legal case in Ally McBeal land.
I don’t think you should single this guy out yet. I suggest placing placards in every stall in the bathrooms, noting that the bathroom is cleaned only once a day, so all employees are asked to be considerate about how they leave the stalls so they are usable for other coworkers. That might make all stalls better for all users, no matter who your culprit for this particular problem is.
If the problem continues after all bathroom users have been reminded like this, then it might be the appropriate time to pursue it individually.
The problem might just be that the fellow is a slob. If that’s the problem, then it would be damned insensitive to bring his weight (unrelated) into it.
I’m also real curious as to what a term like “fatty” contributes to a GQ thread.
This is tricky. I’ll go along with the anonymous note on his desk…but I can’t agree with taking disciplanary action at this time.
You have nothing more than anecdotal evidence…and you can’t put conditions on this guy that don’t apply to all the rest of the staff. If you are going to make restroom cleanliness an issue, then you have to make it an issue with ALL employees…and I don’t think you want to go where that leads.
If the note doesn’t work…then your best recourse is to find a solid performance-related issue to terminate his employment. Either that or figure out a way to eliminate his position and lay him off.
Getting rid of him should solve your problem and free up time to discipline those that chew with their mouth open in the company cafeteria.
Not restricted to the topic on hand but in everything else also: I do not find anonymous communications acceptable in any way. If you have something to say, say it and identify yourself. If you do not want to identify yourself, then don’t say it. Anonymous communications are rude and cowardly. Maybe I could not help reading a short note but I would not read a letter or other communication I knew was not signed. I find that option totally unacceptable always but much more so in a business setting. This is not elementary school
The same effect can be achieved by a notice directed to all employees stating it has been noticed lately that the restrooms have not been as clean as they should be and please take care to leave them clean after use and notify management if you find one excesively dirty. This way the originator of the message is identified and no person is singled out. The person at fault would now have a duty, not only to keep the toilet clean, but also to notify certain person if he should find it dirty (so it can be cleaned). This way he cannot just leave the place and say “I didn’t do it”.
From a management perspective I would go with a combination of sailor and CrankyAsAnOldMan suggestions. Place the signs and send a memo out to all employee’s regarding the new signs, mentioning there have been problems (and complaints?) about the mess.
I’ve found through personal experience that when you are in management and facing a problem such as this, it is always best to institute universal change. Never target a specific person until you have targeted the whole. If you point out his bad toilet habits this may enable him (and other staff) in turn to point the finger at others (possibly even you). this can change the social / political climate of the office in a most unpleasant way.
Look you guys, I am sorry, when I was younger I was confused, and lets just say the sex change went all wrong, ill try to clean up after myself 
Serioulsy, I think the OP is being a little harsh here, look at the situation. Every time this guy goes pee, he dreads it, he knows damn well he is doing it, and for some reason or another, he can not help it. Clean up after? It was said he had trouble fitting in the stall, you think he can easily get on his hands and knees and mop up, probably not likely.
I assume the company is large enough to afford a remodel, put in a urinal, and a short ahndicapped one as well for the short fat guy so you can do his business. You can not repreomand a guy for a physical problem he can not help, thats like firing a mentaly retarded kid for drooling on the desk, just not cool.
Add to all this, half the reason the guy is fat probably is cause he is depressed, and I think this would add to it, some pee on the seat is a small price to pay for not pushing soemone over the edge.
Maybe talk to his friends, or try the friendly approach.
Sorry, ScottHaneda, but “I can’t help it” is no excuse.
The guy is a grown-up. If he has some kind of problem that leads to such a situation, it is his responsibility to go to the appropriate people and ask for some kind of accomodation.
My husband told me once about his grandmother who kept a spray bottle full of bleach water and a rag by the toilet and a note telling all the little (and big) boys to wipe up after themselves if necessary.
So, perhaps along with the note in the bathroom for all the employees, you should leave some janitorial supplies available, especially since the descriptions of this mess seem to go beyond a few sprinkles that can be wiped up with toilet paper. Perhaps this guy would do better if a mop were available so that he didn’t have to bend over so far to clean up.
I was wondering how long it was going to take you Simpson-quoting Dopers to get around to this. I took much longer than I had anticipated.
The anonymous note thing is really horrible.
Instead of targeting this guy straight away, why not first send round a company-wide memo:
**"It has come to our attention that the bathroom is being left in a less-than acceptable standard by certain members of staff. PLEASE make sure you wipe the seat/leave the bathroom acceptable for the next user. We cannot employ full-time cleaners for the one bathroom.
“If the situation does not improve, further investigative action will be taken.”**
The further-investigations bit should scare anyone enough into wiping the seat afterwards.
If it doesn’t improve, then you can start the monitoring thing, get more certain proof who is responsible, and take it up with them.
If it is this guy, and he doesn’t solve the problem, then it’s not a disability issue. It’s a lazy, dirty, unhygienic and inconsiderate issue.
I appreciate all the suggestions on how to handle the issue. However my original question regarded whether there could be a physical reason why (if indeed this particular person is responsible) this might be occurring or if it is just a matter of disregard for others.
The problem is proving who is responsible. If someone is watching the bathroom, the perpetrator would just go to another floor. I am still in disbelief that this is happening. How could someone refuse to lift the lid to pee? My wife told me that at one place she worked at someone was pooping on the floor of the womens room instead of in the toilet. They were never able to figure out who it was. People are weird…
I suppose the lack of an answer might indicate that there is probably not a physical reason why this is occurring. That’s no proof, I know, but I would think that amongst the hundreds of people who have viewed this thread, someone would have known if obesity could cause this kind of problem. There are lots of obese guys in the world, and I suspect that if this was a common problem, someone would have heard something about it.
So, I’m guessing that he is doing it on purpose (if it is him).
Yup. I think that is the one consistent in life. Perhaps you should give this man a bucket and a roll of toilet paper…
OK, you’ve forced me into this.
TMI ALERT
As bordelund said:
I have to concede that this is factual – I’ve had it happen to me. However, and this is a HUGE however, it doesn’t happen often, and it certainly has NOTHING to do with not picking the toilet seat up. Matter of fact, while I’m in TMI mode, because of the way my body is, it’s worse if I sit to pee. Standing is the only way.
I just want to stress, though, that while this HAS happened to me, and I’ve made a mess of things, it is by no means a constant or even frequent occurance. However, guess what? Even if ya make a mess, it CAN be cleaned up. I should know, since I’ve done it. Was it disinfectantly (new word :x) clean? Of course not. But was it at least presentable? You betcha!
I dunno if this helps, but I hope so, because I sure wasn’t thrilled about sharing any of this. :o
Mike
– When all else fails, tell the truth 
And even though borderlund didn’t say it, borderlond did.
Apologies!
Wow, am I having a good day, or what? :rolleyes:
Thank you so much. I really do appreciate your willingness to share that with us. One thing I have learned is that very large people have challenges that most of us wouldn’t imagine. However as you mentioned, that doesnt excuse leaving the mess for the rest of us. Thanks again and I hope someday I am able to enlighten you on some matter.
Is that really necessary?
Another person weighing in on the “don’t assume obesity was the cause” and “make your suggestion universal and don’t single someone out” suggestions.
The placards should work, just make sure they’re waterproof.
You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help
Mike
This (confirmed) fact:
[ul][li]sometimes a man can get obese enough that their flaccid penis is essentially buried in fat…. The problem is getting a grip on 1/2" (or less) worth of flaccid penis to direct the stream (of urine)…[/ul] keeps ringing, over and over in my ears. Not only has it answered that locker-room question I’ve posed to friends in the past but it should also shed new light on the opinions of those who made excuses or had sympathy for stubby.[/li]
Those 34 words should help open the eyes of the whole “It’s OK to be overweight…it’s a choice…there’s nothing wrong with being fat” crowd. Metabolic abnormalities aside, anyone who eats to the point of nearly rendering themselves gender-neutral deserves no ones sympathy. Why would anyone come to the defense and care more this (dishonest, I might add) man than he obviously does for himself?