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AIBU?

to consider phoning in sick to work because of the heat?

51 replies

HelpMeImMelting · 30/06/2015 12:34

I'm really struggling with this heat, and I'm considering phoning in sick to work tonight. I have a very active job, wear a bloody awful uniform that doesn't breathe and hold the heat, and the air con is broken.

I came over really faint yesterday and was sent to get a cold drink and sit down for a bit. I'm really worried that I might actually faint becuase it's warmer today.

Talk sense to me?

OP posts:

Report

Wolfiefan · 30/06/2015 12:35

Can you take iced water, water spray or fan?

queenofthepirates · 30/06/2015 12:36

I think you might be looking at quite a long time off work if you do... it's only going to get hotter. Perhaps it's better to speak to your employer about your working conditions?

ShatnersBassoon · 30/06/2015 12:36

It's really not that hot. School children are wearing uniform and being active in it.

Take a drink and ask if you're able to wear something lighter than the full uniform.

WorraLiberty · 30/06/2015 12:36

I know some people struggle more than others in the heat, but I don't think phoning in sick in case you faint is on really. The country would grind to a halt if everyone did this. That's not to say you don't have my sympathy though

Besides, tomorrow is supposed to be significantly warmer so where would it end?

googoodolly · 30/06/2015 12:36

Freeze a bottle or two of water so they're ice cold for when you go to work. You really can't call in sick because it's hot - can you adapt your uniform at all? Wear a skirt instead of trousers or a cotton shirt instead of polyester, for example?

I know it's shitty, I work in a kitchen - it's HELL in this weather!

Artandco · 30/06/2015 12:37

No. It's not that hot! And will likely stay on and off for the next 2 months. Surely you can't be off sick for 2 months?

You need to talk to work about the air con, uniform and breaks

CrystalCove · 30/06/2015 12:39

I sympathise but you probably are being unreasonable.

Shatners that all depends on where OP lives surely, they probably dont live where you live.

WayneRooneysHair · 30/06/2015 12:39

If you called in sick today what about tomorrow? I do sympathise but I think calling in sick as it's too hot is pretty pathetic. You're better of speaking to your employer about your working conditions.

HelpMeImMelting · 30/06/2015 12:40

Thanks- I can't change my uniform at all. I have some bottles of water in the fridge and can get ice at work. I've never struggled this much, but I'm on day 9/10. I think it's a combination of tiredness and the heat!

OP posts:

googoodolly · 30/06/2015 12:41

The UK is the only country that seems to collapse when it's hot. It's only 30 degrees, it's really not THAT hot. You just need to dress for the weather and drink plenty of water. People live in this heat every day in other countries - yes, the air-con being broken is a problem but you can't call in sick because of it.

NRomanoff · 30/06/2015 12:43

If you phone in sick on your last working day before your days off, it's going to look like you just fancy your days off now and want to enjoy the sun.

You need to look at ways to cope and speak to your manager about working conditions and see if there is anything that can be done.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 30/06/2015 12:43

It really is that hot in some places. I live in north London and its expected to reach 30 today and 35 tomorrow. OP I really feel for you! I struggle with the heat and used to faint all the time but I don't think a boss will show much empathy

HelenaDove · 30/06/2015 12:44

I know someone who comes from Singapore and he cant bear the heat in this country.

BlueBee · 30/06/2015 12:44

What do you do?

Imagine if all the nurses etc rang in sick because they were too hot in their uniforms.

catlovingdoctor · 30/06/2015 12:46

Try and adjust uniform etc as best as possible to help you cope. I'd try not to call in sick, but you do have my sympathy- to have an active job when it's this warm is absolute hell on earth and it annoys me no end when people who sit in air- conditioned offices with water and light-fitting clothes roll their eyes and tell people who do more physically demanding work to get a grip.

HelpMeImMelting · 30/06/2015 12:47

My boss has jetted off on his holidays!

Our uniform has changed from last year and I think that's not helping. It's thick dark coloured trousers that really hold the heat. They get damp and that makes them even warmer.

To all those saying it's not that hot, our building was reaching the high 30s yesterday when the sun was beaming in the windows! There's no breeze (none of the windows open) either.

OP posts:

ouryve · 30/06/2015 12:47

You just need to dress for the weather

A bit difficult when you've got a sweaty polyester uniform that you have to wear and the aircon in the building is not working.

Countries that are used to hot weather tend to value air conditioning in the same way that we do central heating.

girliefriend · 30/06/2015 12:49

I had this a couple of years ago when we had a heat wave, our uniform is awful for not breathing and keeping in the heat. I felt really unwell, a few of us complained and the managers begrudgingly now allow us to wear a 'summer uniform' of smart shorts and white polo t.shirts. It is better than the alternative, maybe you could speak to your mangers?

googoodolly · 30/06/2015 12:50

A bit difficult when you've got a sweaty polyester uniform that you have to wear and the aircon in the building is not working.

I did mention I work in a kitchen - I get that the heat is horrible, BUT workplaces are meant to make allowances so long as they don't go against health and safety. EG. we're allowed to wear skirts instead of trousers, short-sleeved cotton shirts instead of polyester, etc. and we're allowed water on the floor when ordinarily it wouldn't be allowed.

I think, OP, if you speak to your boss and explain, they will try and make allowances. You haven't said what your job is, but I'm sure you'll be allowed to at least take some ice-cold water with you if nothing else.

WayneRooneysHair · 30/06/2015 12:52

Yeah 30 degrees in the UK is worse than hotter temperatures in the US etc, our houses and other buildins are built to keep heat in and the humidity doesn't help.

BarbarianMum · 30/06/2015 12:53

HelpMeImMelting · 30/06/2015 12:56

I work in customer service and spend most of my shift fetching/carrying/cleaning up after people so i'm on my feet and active.

OP posts:

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googoodolly · 30/06/2015 12:56

The reason we are behind is because generally, it's not necessary. It gets this hot once a year for a few days at the most - the cost of changing our entire infrastructure would be massive and really not worth it for a few days of hot weather a year.

I get that the humidity is horrible and I sympathise with OP but you can't call in sick because it's hot! What if everyone decided it was too hot - would everywhere just close?! If you go in and you faint or get dehydrated and get sick, that's different and you should be sent home, but you can't call in sick just in case!

TheLastPickleInTheJar · 30/06/2015 13:01

It does sound like this is a h&s issue though. Uniform that doesn't breathe, windows that don't open and air con that doesn't work do not make for a comfortable working environment and may cause certain people to feel faint.

I think you need to have a discussion with someone in your boss's absence. Is there no way they can allow you to modify your uniform? Can they supply fans?

BarbarianMum · 30/06/2015 13:02

I disagree. Building well and encorporating things like green roofs would lead to huge savings long-term. You shouldn't need to live or work in a building which requires you spend money on heating for most of the year and AC for the other few days.

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