Guide

Male incontinence in the workplace: a guide for employers

Many men live with bladder or bowel leakage and rarely mention it at work. This guide explains what male incontinence is, who it affects, what the law says and what employers can do, starting with the washroom. It is general information, not medical or legal advice.

What is male incontinence?

Incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine (urinary incontinence) or faeces (bowel incontinence). It ranges from an occasional leak when coughing or lifting, to a sudden urge that is hard to hold, to little or no control. It is a symptom rather than an illness in its own right, and it can often be treated or managed. The NHS is clear that it is not an inevitable part of getting older.

Many men manage it with absorbent pads, shields or disposable pants. That means needing a clean, private place to change and a bin to dispose of used products, wherever they are, including at work.

How common is it?

Nobody knows the exact number, but the estimates are large, and they are higher than many people expect.

About 1 in 3: men over 65 in the UK are estimated to have urinary incontinence Prostate Cancer UK
51%: of men in a 2023 survey of 4,750 people reported some symptoms linked to urinary incontinence Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group; self-reported
1 in 8: men will get prostate cancer, and bladder problems can be a side effect of treatment Prostate Cancer UK

Figures differ between studies because they count different things: any leak, regular leaks, or leaks that need treatment. Treat them as estimates rather than exact counts.

The same survey found that one in five men reported symptoms between the ages of 18 and 25, and that more than three in five people did not think men commonly experience urinary incontinence. It is more common than many people assume, and it is not only a problem of later life.

What causes it?

There is usually more than one cause, and the cause decides the type of incontinence. For men, causes include:

an enlarged prostate, which can stop the bladder emptying fully so that it leaks (NHS)
prostate surgery or other treatment for prostate cancer, where bladder problems are a recognised side effect (NHS, Prostate Cancer UK)
damage to the nerves that control the bladder, for example after a spinal cord injury or bowel surgery (NHS)
neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (NHS), and diabetes, which can damage the nerves that control the bladder (Bladder & Bowel Community)
constipation and some medicines (NHS)

Anyone who is worried about leaks should see their GP. Treatment, from pelvic floor exercises to medicines and surgery, can help many men, and the NHS says there is no need to feel embarrassed about asking.

What it can mean at work

For someone managing incontinence, a working day can mean planning every hour around the nearest toilet and the nearest bin. When the gents has nowhere to dispose of used products, men are left with poor choices.

In the Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group survey, 34% of men found it hard to find a hygiene bin, 38% took a bag to empty at home and 25% said they had flushed products. The report does not say which group of respondents each figure comes from, so treat them as a guide rather than a precise measure (Binning the taboo).

None of this is visible to colleagues, which is why it so often goes unnoticed. A bin in the gents is a small, practical way to remove one difficulty.

Why bins in men's washrooms matter for employers

Dignity and inclusion. A bin in the gents tells staff and visitors that managing incontinence is normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
Hygiene. Used products put in a lidded bin are contained, rather than being left in cubicles or carried away in a bag.
Drains. Pads, shields and wipes do not break down in the sewer and should never be flushed. Water UK describes flushed wipes as a major cause of sewer blockages (Water UK), and a blocked toilet or drain is a cost and a nuisance for any building.
Fairness. Women's washrooms routinely have sanitary bins. A bin in the gents gives men who need the same facility the same courtesy.
Supporting staff. Employers have a duty of care to their staff, and a simple change to the washroom can make a real difference to someone with a long-term condition.

What the law says

As far as we are aware, no law in England, Scotland or Wales currently requires a bin for incontinence products in men's toilets. Jersey has passed a law requiring bins in public toilets, according to Prostate Cancer UK, and the charity's Boys Need Bins campaign is asking for the same across the UK (Prostate Cancer UK).

Employers do have duties that can apply:

Regulation 20 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires suitable and sufficient toilets at readily accessible places, kept in a clean and orderly condition.
Under the Equality Act 2010, incontinence can count as a disability when it has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on day-to-day activities (Bladder & Bowel Community). Employers must then make reasonable adjustments so that disabled workers are not substantially disadvantaged, which can include physical changes to the workplace (GOV.UK).

Whether a bin is a reasonable adjustment depends on the circumstances. The Equality Act applies in Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own law. This is general information, not legal advice: if you are unsure, speak to an employment adviser or solicitor.

What good provision looks like

There is no legal standard to follow, but these are the points we recommend when we advise on male incontinence bins:

Put the bin where it can be used privately, such as inside a cubicle, rather than in a communal area.
Choose a lidded bin with a design that hides the contents, so that nothing is on show to the next user.
Choose hands-free operation, such as a foot pedal.
Mark the bin clearly but discreetly as being for incontinence products, so that it is not mistaken for a general waste bin.
Have it serviced regularly so that it never overflows.
Tell all staff that the bin is there, in the same way as any other washroom facility. Nobody needs to explain why they use it.

How Calabash Mint can help

We supply, install and service male incontinence bins as part of our washroom hygiene service. Our 20-litre male incontinence bin has a foot pedal and a chute that hides the contents, and it takes incontinence pads and shields, disposable pants and related incontinence products.

A free, no-obligation site visit lets us look at your washrooms and advise how many bins you need and where they should go. We can also supply sanitary bins, nappy bins and clinical waste bins for other parts of your premises. Explore all our washroom services, or get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Do men's toilets need sanitary bins by law?

Not specifically, as far as we are aware. No law currently requires a bin for incontinence products in men's toilets in England, Scotland or Wales. Employers do have wider duties to provide suitable toilets and, where an employee is disabled, to make reasonable adjustments. See "What the law says" above.

What can go in a male incontinence bin?

Our 20-litre bin is for incontinence pads and shields, disposable pants and related incontinence products.

Can pads and wipes be flushed?

No. They do not break down in the sewer and can block drains. Always put them in a bin.

Is incontinence only a problem for older men?

No. It is more common with age, but in the Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group survey one in five men reported symptoms between the ages of 18 and 25. Causes include prostate problems and their treatment, nerve damage and neurological conditions.

Is incontinence a disability at work?

It can be. If it has a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities, it can count as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, and the employer must consider reasonable adjustments. Each case depends on the person's circumstances.

How many bins do we need?

It depends on your washrooms and how many people use them. We offer a free, no-obligation site visit and will recommend how many bins you need and where to put them.

How do we introduce a bin to staff?

Treat it like any other washroom facility: tell everyone that it is there and what it is for. There is no need to ask who needs it or why.

Where can men get help and support?

The first step is a GP. The NHS has a page on urinary incontinence, and charities such as Prostate Cancer UK and The Prostate Project offer information and support.