Never Toilet Alone — Ever.
Let’s talk about something no one wants to talk about, but every EA knows damn well: toileting.
I purposely had a lighter week, only picking up a couple shifts on each board. Sometimes you just need the space to breathe — but even on a short week, the same old bullshit found me.
Here’s my golden rule:
👉 I never toilet a student alone.
👉 I never toilet a female student (I’m a male — common sense, right?).
👉 There is always a second set of eyes. End of story.
Seems simple enough. Seems like a rule every admin would support and reinforce.
WRONG.
We are constantly pressured to toilet students alone — especially when there’s a shortage (which, let’s be real, is always). But let me say this loud and clear:
A staffing shortage is NOT an excuse to ignore safety.
Admins, SERTs, LERTs — they’ll all try to guilt you. They’ll say it’s “just this once” or “we really need you” or “there’s no one else.” Nope. Not my problem. Not my fault your school is understaffed. I will never put myself in a compromising position to cover for your failures.
I make this very clear: if you can’t find another EA, then you, the principal, can be my second set of eyes. Some principals are actually decent — they step in without hesitation. Those ones I respect. But most? They act like it’s beneath them to help. Like being a witness at the washroom door is some great burden. All they need to do is stand there. That’s it. But you'd be surprised how many of them act like you're asking for their kidney.
And don’t get me started on being asked to toilet female students. I had that happen again this week. First thing I ask when I’m assigned to a female student is,
“If she needs help in the washroom, who do I call?”
It always catches them off guard — because clearly too many EAs are doing the job without thinking. Too many EAs out there just nod along and say, “Okay,” without considering the risks or the moral implications.
I argued with one this week — some total idiot of a guy. He said,
“I just do what I’m told.”
What a fucking moron. That’s how people get screwed over. That’s how reputations get destroyed. That’s how students and staff end up unprotected.
I told him straight: if he continues toileting alone, I’ll be contacting Health & Safety, the union (as useless as they are), and HR. Because if admins are pressuring EAs into breaking basic safety protocols, the board needs to know. Period.
The worst part? This “rule” isn’t even officially written anywhere. There’s no manual. No standard. It’s all this unspoken “code” that’s now being conveniently ignored to cover up staffing issues. And because our unions are weak as hell, admins are getting away with it — and stupid, spineless EAs are enabling it.
So here it is.
EA to EA. Do NOT toilet alone. Ever.
Don’t get bullied. Don’t get guilted. Don’t be a “yes” person just to make someone else’s life easier.
Protect yourself. Protect the student. Protect your damn job.
If that makes me “difficult,” then so be it. I’ll wear that title proudly.