Australia’s health campaign praised for encouraging employees to poo at work

Australia’s Queensland Health Department has been widely praised for its creative and humorous campaign addressing a potentially awkward issue: what to do when you need to poop at work.

Launched across social media, the campaign has been met with enthusiasm and praise from users, with many appreciating its lighthearted approach to a serious health topic.

One of the standout elements was an Instagram video featuring the message “It’s okay to poo at work,” accompanied by colourful imagery of dolphins, rainbows, and unicorns, set to the tune of Neick Sanders’s song Symphony, according to a report by The Independent.

The post garnered over 25,000 likes and thousands of comments, reflecting the campaign’s popularity. On Facebook, a more straightforward post asking followers to “Discuss” pooing at work sparked a lively conversation, amassing over 5,000 likes and 3,600 comments.

Though playful in tone, the campaign delivers an important health message. The department warns that “ignoring your need to poop” can lead to serious health problems, such as haemorrhoids and stool impaction. “Lots of people find it difficult to poo in public toilets,” one post read. “But we’re here to tell you it’s definitely okay to go number two at work!”

The campaign also touches on the condition of parcopresis, sometimes referred to as ‘poo paranoia.’ People with this condition may experience anxiety, an elevated heart rate, or nausea due to the fear of being judged by others while using public toilets.

In addition to raising awareness, the department offers tips for having a “stress-free public toilet poo,” including visualising celebrities like Taylor Swift on the toilet, bringing a small fragrance spray, and practising deep breathing or meditation to alleviate anxiety.

The quirky messaging resonated with users. One Facebook commenter suggested, “All workplaces should have a radio at a good volume in bathrooms.” An Instagram user chimed in, “Do it on company time and get paid to poop,” while another joked, “In the words of the great Whitney Houston, it’s not right but it’s okay.”

The health department’s social media manager earned high praise, with many users suggesting they deserved a raise. One person wrote, “I don’t know who the dedicated Instagram person is for QLD health but, my god, you are doing a great job and you need a pay raise.”

Another humorously noted, “Did the government just put an image of Taylor Swift pooping in my brain?”, as reported by The Independent.

Dee Madigan, founder and creative director of advertising agency Campaign Edge, hailed the campaign as “world-leading” in its creativity. “It’s a serious message, but they’re using social media the right way,” she told The Independent.

“Just because something’s serious doesn’t mean you can’t use humour to address it.” Madigan also praised the department for fostering a work environment where staff feel empowered to take risks with public messaging.

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