Work-life balance appears to have been given the pan for call-centre workers in Norway who are protesting against a system that triggers an alarm if they spend more than eight minutes in the toilet.
Flashing lights alert managers if an employee is away from their desk for a toilet break or other ‘personal activities’ beyond the allotted time.
The employees' union Finansforbundet has described the rules as unacceptable. A spokesperson said: "Surveying staff to limit toilet visits, cigarette breaks, personal phone calls and other other personal needs to a total of eight minutes per day is highly restrictive and intrusive and must be stopped."
The firm said the aim of the checks was to assess staffing needs to ensure all calls were answered and it would not be reviewing the policy.
Employees must be flushed with frustration...