Would You Tell Your Employer

It would depend on my comfort level with who I had to tell.
If I was not comfortable telling my supervisor, I would get a doctors note.

The doctor's note and such is the way I would go.

I just wanted to let you know that you can take Cranberry pills and they work just the same.

I would ask for a doctor's note simply saying you have a condition that may require frequent bathroom breaks and to please accommodate you for the duration of your treatment.

I'd tell them I have recently developed a medical issue that will require me to go to the bathroom more than two times in an 8 hour shift. I'd have my doctor write a note to that effect - no matter how silly it sounds.
You do not have to tell them why - but that you need this. I bet they can figure it out:)

I know it's a little off the topic, but in addition to an antibiotic for your infection, did your doctor give you a prescription for phenazopyridine? That's the little tablet for urinary discomfort that turns your urine bright orange. When I took it, it provided almost immediate relief and the urgency went away. If you didn't get a prescription, you can buy it at the drugstore, it has the brand name "Azo-Standard." If you get the urgency and discomfort under control, maybe telling your employer would be a moot point. Hope you feel better soon.

Get a doctor's note and tell your employer.
Bladder infections tend to be more of a female problem but as the guys get older - they tend to have prostate problems that cause them to make frequent runs to the bathroom too - so it's not just women that might have a doctor's note about this.
The note can say 'temporary medical condition' (don't know if you want him to specify for how long this should last) and you'll need more bathroom breaks than usual (offer to stay a bit later to make up for lost time) - the note doesn't have to go into great detail about what the exact condition is.
Your boss should be fine with it.

By law you don't have to tell them anything other than you have a medical condition that will cause you to have to go to the bathroom more frequently and will need to be accommodated. If you need to produce a doctor's note, do. The doctor does not need to state what the medical condition is. Just that it makes you to need to use the bathroom more.

If you are on the floor working (I don't know what you do), I would use the Poise pads or some type of protection as my experience with bladder infections is it doesn't care if you are pulling your underwear down or walking in the door - it's going...no matter how much you squeeze or have control over your bladder!

I'm sorry!! Hope you are better soon!!

See if you can get a doctor note that say sit, then give that to whoever is appropriate. Better to have the "Professional" say it's necessary, and may take out some embarrassment cause you don't have to say it yourself.

I say clock in and out - can you imagine what a nightmare payday will be when they have to figure out what amount to dock you for 4 minutes in the bathroom? More hassle than what it's worth! What a jerk!

Are you a union worker?

Anyway, the company needs to make reasonable accommodations for you. What will it take, a day or two to get over? You have a Dr. note - they need to allow you to use the bathroom more frequently. Either that or allow you an excused absence.

Hey, clock out if you have to - just take care of yourself and don't hold it in.

Feel better - drink lots of water!

Get the product called "AZO" - it is sold over the counter, it should be in the isles near the other feminine products. That will take the pain & urgency away ASAP so you are not uncomfortable while waiting for the antibiotics to kick in.

And, based on your SWH, it sounds like your supervisor is a jerk. I would totally be keeping my eyes open for new opportunities. When you quit, make sure the supervisors boss knows its because of this!

Do you have a supervisor who is female? It might be easier letting her know that you have a bladder infection and will need to take frequent breaks. If not, I would still tell them that you have a medical issue at the present which requires frequent breaks and if they can accomodate( this is if they are concerned at all). If possible, get a Dr.s note.

A doctor's note is more impersonal and businesslike. I'm sure you won't be the first patient to ask your doc to do this.

P.S. Can you go over your supervisor's head? I think I wouldn't like that job either.

Definitely get a doctor's note. If you can't get to the doctor's office (hey, you have to be at work!) see if the doctor can fax you something but...not at the work fax number!

Then I would tell your direct supervisor (if that's the person who would call you out on too many bathroom breaks) and let him or her know that if there is any further issue with your needing extra breaks, you and he or she can talk to HR about it.

If you feel like it's just too personal to say what kind of infection it is, ask the doctor to word the note in such a way that it does not specify the diagnosis (which, after all, should be protected by the law that prevents people from finding out other people's medical business). Possibly it could just say that due to a temporary medical issue you may need to be allowed additional breaks as needed throughout the day.

If your supervisor is a jerk, I'd go directly to HR with the note first and say you are concerned that if you do not get breaks as needed, your condition will worsen (it will -- you should not ever have to "hold it" when you have a bladder infection!).

Please tell us that you're on an antibiotic as well as just drinking cranberry juice! The juice helps but is NOT a cure for an infection that has already taken hold. Be sure you're getting an antibiotic. If it's enough of an infection to diagnose, it's enough to prescribe for.

If you're still having symptoms, get a doctor's note and give it to your boss. No need to clock out.

And when you have a UTI or bladder infection, you drink WATER, not cranberry juice. The sugar in cranberry juice will make your infection worse instead of better. Drink green tea but not the store bought bottled stuff because it has far too much sugar. Make your own and drink it hot. Drink a lot of water. Cut back on sugary foods and fatty foods. And don't hold your urine.

Well, like everyone else, asked for a doctor's note. Even if you work in a call center, they have to make some accomodations. A friend of mine worked in a call center. She was pregnant and "exceeded her daily break limits:. She cried foul very loudly and her manager's manager stepped in.

call the doctor and ask for Phenazopyridine 200 mg tablets-they reduce the urge, the pain and the burning until the antibiotic kicks in-good luck-just go when you have to go-I have never heard of an adult needing to get permission to go to the bathroom as long as they had someone to cover for them???

Im sorry, your boss is wrong. I used to manage a phone queue and my pregnant girls took more breaks than "required" by law. I had girls with a Dr note for bladder infections, same as you.. i didn't need the note, but my male boss did (jerk).

You have 2 options....save face ans suck it up. Or go to HR and if your company is like the one i worked for, face the possible consequences (I'm sure someone will say HR is for the employees, but there's always a risk when you go above supervisor to HR...)

We get two fifteen minute breaks, but we can go to the bathroom any time we need to.
Unless you're only allowed to go to the bathroom on your scheduled break, I wouldn't say anything.

Cranberries are not the only fruit that helps UTIs. Blueberries and cheries also have the same enzymes that prevent an infection from sticking to the urinary tract.

unrelated to work - cranberry juice doesn't help with UTI's and bladder infections. Most cranberry juice is sweetened either with sugar or white grape juice (high in suger). Plain water is a better option.