There’s a loo lurker in every UK office — why aren’t bosses doing anything?

Sometimes, when you’re drowning under a mountain of work, all it takes is one passive aggressive email to tip you over the edge.

Your eyes start to burn and tears threaten to spill over, all because Susan from marketing couldn’t wait five more minutes for your report.

So, you head to the toilet, lock the door behind you, and cry.

Or maybe you just need to take a breather.

This is what Metro has dubbed as ‘loo lurking‘, a habit half of Brits admit to doing at work.

Young employees aged 18 to 24 (21%) are the most likely to do this, citing work stress as the main reason for their waterworks, while 14% of 25 to 34 year olds also do this.

But, Jim Moore, employee relations expert at HR consultants Hamilton Nash, tells Metro this is nothing new.

‘Employees hiding in workplace loos has been happening since the invention of the toilet, and these statistics show how common it’s become,’ he says.

‘The toilet is the one place in an office where you can get some privacy, and most HR professionals can tell you stories of colleagues who disappear there for longer than necessary.’
It can be for personal reasons, too.

Take Jude from Bridget Jones’ Dairy who can usually be found ‘crying in the bathroom’ at work because of her on-off boyfriend ‘Vile Richard’.

Either way, Jim explains we might be hearing about this habit more now because there are more honest conversations about workplace mental health.
‘People feel less ashamed to acknowledge they need these moments of escape,’ he adds.

Of course, the workplace can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing, with 39% of 18 to 24 year olds taking time off work due to poor mental health cause by high pressure and stress.

Alarmingly, 91% report high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year, according to Mental Health UK.

But if things are that bad then why not head to human resources?

Jim says: ‘Going to HR with workplace problems means you need to spell out exactly what’s wrong, with the risk you’ll trigger formal processes.

‘Seeking formal support can sometimes feels like a much bigger step than just taking a few minutes alone.

‘Sometimes people just need five minutes to compose themselves, have a quick cry or escape an overwhelming situation, and the toilet provides that without consequences or awkward conversations.’
In fact, needing some ‘me time’ during the work day is another reason these loo lurkers are, well… lurking.

Honestly, we’re guilty of it too.

41% of workers retreat to a cubicle for quiet time to themselves, with those aged 35 to 44 the most likely to do so, according to Initial Washroom Hygiene’s study of 2,000 employees.

A quarter of staffers will sit there and scroll through social media while 19% check up on the news.

For 11% it’s an opportunity to touch up their makeup.

When this is done frequently by people in the office, Jim believes this suggests a problem with a person’s individual wellbeing or with the workplace environment itself.

‘If 41% of workers are hiding in toilets for mental health breaks, that’s a damning verdict on workplace culture,’ he says.

Burnout: what it is and how to avoid it

‘Burnout’ is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an ‘occupational phenomenon’.

It’s a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.

It can occur when you experience long-term stress and feel under constant pressure.

It isn’t the same as stress – which is short-term and you’re still able to engage in the stressful activity – with burnout, you feel so detached and demotivated it impacts your ability to function and you feel hopeless.

How to avoid it

1. Create a personal wellbeing plan: Define what good mental health looks like for you.

   Include early warning signs, coping strategies, and what support helps you most.



2. Set boundaries and achievable goals: Break tasks into manageable steps, keep deadlines realistic, and protect work–life boundaries by switching off outside contracted hours.


3. Communicate openly with your manager: Discuss workloads, challenges, and expectations regularly.

   Ask for adjustments before pressures build – without guilt.



4. Prioritise the four foundations of health: Focus on sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management.

   Make time for activities outside work that bring joy and balance.



5. Recognise and manage stress early: Identify what’s driving stress and how to cope.


6. Make full use of workplace support: Access Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), wellbeing resources, and speak to your GP if you need ongoing help.


7. Celebrate small wins: Recovery after burnout is gradual.

   Every step forward counts.

‘People should feel comfortable stepping away from their desk, taking a proper break or being honest with their manager that they’re having a difficult day.

‘Managers who create environments where people feel they can’t admit they’re struggling or take a visible break are directly contributing to this behaviour.’
Ultimately, if your employees are crying in toilets, Jim explains that, if it’s not personal, it’s because they’re overwhelmed by workload or struggling to deal with workplace conflict or bullying – so bosses need to be aware.

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.