Coworker monitoring my bathroom usage

He has his own issues to work out.  Maybe he has his own medical condition. He probably assumes you're putting on makeup or something. 

I agree, he has his own issues.  Maybe he is jealous?  Doubtful if he knew what us j-pouchers have been through.  If he does it again perhaps he would care for a blow by blow account of why you feel more comfortable in the private washroom. Perhaps you could ask him why it is important to him that the gender neutral washroom remain vacant?

I know for darn sure that I would choose the private facilities every single time if I had that luxury.  Keep your head held high and your rights at the forefront.

Wow"Yes and the male bathroom is right over there". This is one of my fears about work is being confronted about my bathroom breaks. I hope the gentleman in question will mends his ways and not harass you again. ❤️

I understand exactly how you feel. This has always been an issue for me too and having to time my washroom breaks when I hope no one is there. Besides monitoring you, why is he at the gender neutral washroom and not at the men's washroom? I'm so thankful that I have just retired and that anxiety is gone...with the exceptions of outings. If he continues consider going to HR with this.

I contacted our office manager and was assured I could use that restroom any time I need and that they would talk to him.

I just don’t understand people sometimes. Said coworker knows my medical issues because I got sick and lost my colon while I’ve been working here.

Aside from it being inappropriate it also hurt my feelings.

I've had people make snarky comments at bars and breweries and I'll usually reply back with a comment of my own, something along the lines of "is there a problem?" Not in an aggressive tone, but in a serious one. I am not a confrontational person in any regard, but given it's a sensitive topic I do take a bit of offense. Plus, it's a personal thing - weird to comment on.

Obviously in the workplace you want to avoid escalating things. I agree with what others have said about mentioning that there's a men's restroom for use as well. I'm not one to tattle either, but if this persists, maybe think of speaking to HR.

I'm glad I'm retired.

Don't have to deal with people at work in any form.

Sorry this person may have issues also. 

I had plenty of issues before any surgery was done.

But I was never pestered by my fellow employees.

They knew my issues.  I wa never embarrassed by them. So they knew before and after my surgeries.

Keep using the bathroom you are using. Tough Tata if he needs it. He can wait or use the men's room.

Richard.

I’m so sorry you had to experience this. How dare he actually wait til you got out! Please consider informing HR if he continues to bother you in any way.

Agreed, go to HR.

I’m thinking most companies nowadays would take a dim view if anyone was creating or contributing to a hostile work environment.

I am wondering if the male coworker has his own medical issue that is causing this frustration. Perhaps he has IBD? Older males also sometimes have urinary continence issues, and it's kind of uncomfortable to discuss them with coworkers. Pissing one's pants due to not getting to an available bathroom can be upsetting. If not, his behavior was boorish.

I have always worked for smaller firms so any issues as between coworkers usually gets discussed openly. Last week our office manager was very upset that trash wasn't being taken out of the office kitchen and circulated an email to the entire staff (which is 12) on this issue and her concern was that rodents will soon be attracted to the kitchen. I later teasingly told her that if any rodents are around I will get a rat zapper on Amazon which will eliminate them.

My own opinion on an issue like this is direct communication with the coworker should be utilized. I would only go to HR if direct communication doesn't resolve the issue. Although I understand the role HR plays on issues like this, my sense is that people who are quick to go to HR on an issue like this might start to be seen as not being "team players" with their coworkers. I go out of my way in my small firm environment to try to adapt to the needs of my coworkers and to be seen as a team player.

It sounds like the company's bathroom setup is female friendly, although that's not always the case with public restrooms. I used to train to Grand Central Station in New York City regularly, and always remembered seeing a very long line extending out of the women's bathroom but none extending out of men's bathroom. Where there are urinals men are easily in and out, so my conclusion without ever having been inside the GCS women's bathroom is that there was likely an equal number of toilet seats but higher demand obviously as women need to sit down. I could never understand why they didn't equip the women's restrooms with more seats. Always felt sorry for the women caught in those lines after stepping off a train, and used to wonder if any of them had IBD.