Jim Beam stops policy limiting bathroom breaks

AP via Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | September 7, 2002

[sarcasm]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After an outcry from employees and labor officials, bourbon maker Jim Beam on Friday dropped its policy of limiting bathroom breaks for workers at a Kentucky distillery.

Since October, bottling line workers at the company's Clermont, Ky., plant have been limited to four breaks per 8 1/2 hour shift. Workers who took extra trips were reprimanded, and six violations resulted in dismissal.

The rules outraged workers and drew a citation from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, which called the policy illegal.

Jim Beam Brands CEO Rich Reese defended the restrictions Friday but said workers' concerns were more important.

"We've listened to the concerns of our employees and have changed our policy," Reese said from headquarters in Deerfield, Ill.

The union said some employees wore protective undergarments because they were afraid of breaking the policy. The company said it imposed the restrictions because workers had abused the old policy that allowed unlimited breaks.

"I am really glad to hear that they've come to their senses," union leader Jo Anne Kelley said.

The decision to rescind the bathroom policy came during a hearing this week on whether the state should overturn its reprimand, which did not include a fine.

The bathroom restrictions had applied to about 100 bottling-line workers at the approximately 300-employee plant, which produces 5 million cases of bourbon a year. No other Jim Beam plant was affected.

Krystal Ditto, who was one violation away from being fired, expressed relief.

"Nobody should have to go to work with that kind of fear," she said.

[paulklenk]

Anyone who bottles 5 million cases of bourbon a year ought to expect a heck of a lot of bathroom breaks!

[stands2reason]

Ahhhhhhhhhh, what a relief!

Seriously, for the ladies to have to clue in their supervisors on when they were *ahem* having their visit from Aunt Flo each month was a little too much.

[RandallFlagg]

Could you imagine how severely the supervisor's face woulda been pummeled if he told the 7-month pregnant lady in the line that she COULDN'T go to the R-Room?! I remember when my Wife was pregnant and the docs saying, "The baby is going to press constantly in the Mother's bladder, making frequent urination common."
I'd NOT want to be near that scene. If it happened to MY Wife, she'd pee on the guy's head after the beating and marched right out the door....

[I_Love_My_Husband]

That's good news. Many people have that syndrome called Frequent Bladder or whatever it's called. I have it. Also I get a lot of bladder infections, sometimes I have to go every 1/2 hour! Not a good policy they had.

[ErnBatavia]

Working on a line where all you see and hear is liquid being squirted might make me want to tap the bladder a little more frequently.....

[cynicom]

Wonder if CEO Reese goes to his "private" restroom when he feels the need, or does someone limit his visits????? I think I know the answer.

[farmguy]

One associate was asked about the policy change, he replied that the old policy was fine since the company distributed an adequate number of barrels thoughout the facility.

[PatrioticAmerican]

eeeeeewwwwwww! Well, I guess we should have expected as much. Jim Beam sucks.