If the thought of answering nature’s call in your office’s communal bathroom makes you break out in a sweat, you’re far from alone.

Surveys show that a third of employees are scared to poop on the job, and nearly 1 in 5 “refuse” to entirely — citing everything from privacy issues and embarrassment over smells to concerns about noise.

Fortunately, experts say there are a few simple steps you can take to drop a deuce before your morning commute so you don’t have to go while your coworker is sitting in the next stall.

Many Americans say they’re too “poop shy” to relieve themselves at the office. Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com

“Most people aren’t that lucky to have a bowel movement that comes on like clockwork,” Dr. Leybelis Padilla, a gastroenterologist and founder of Unlocking GI, told The Post. “But there are few key things that can set you up to having a consistent bowel movement regimen,” she said.

It all starts with your lifestyle.

“Having regular, more predictable poops are a byproduct of all of the lifestyle habits that someone has,” Padilla explained.

“When all of these habits are combined and leveraged to optimize your health, your body gets into a rhythm of things, including when you poop,” she added.

And it’s not just about bathroom convenience.

Research suggests that how often you go says a lot about your overall health, including your risk for chronic diseases. In one study, scientists found that the best outcomes were linked to passing stool once or twice a day — known as the “Goldilocks zone.”

A combination of lifestyle factors influence your poop schedule, including diet, exercise and stress levels. RK1919 – stock.adobe.com

Step #1: Get more fiber.

To make your pooping schedule more predictable, Padilla said the first step is making sure you’re getting enough fiber. Dietary fiber not only adds bulk and softens stool for an easier exit, but it also acts like a scrub brush for your colon, clearing out bacteria and other buildup along the w