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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to go into a hot and sweaty office

496 replies

Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 16:51

I've been WFH full time since Covid but we now have a directive of two days a week in the office. I can do my job fully remotely with no problems. I've been going into the office as directed but last week the air conditioning in the office wasn't working and we weren't allowed to open any windows to let some air in. The office was very very hot. I ended up going home because I felt ill and had a headache from the heat (I did work when I got home). Manager is expecting us in the office later this week even though the aircon is not fixed and we've been warned it could be warmer due to the heatwave. AIBU to refuse to go in?

I would also add that I am struggling with menopause and not being able to regulate my body temperature. Not saying I should get special treatment however I do struggle with it. I'd rather be home where I can open my windows and let some air in.

OP posts:
Hiphopopotamonster · 30/07/2024 19:37

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:35

Heat, menopause and lack of aircon have been consistent in my workplaces and the nature of my work means you need to be in the workplace (like millions of others). Guess what, we are OK and survived

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I rest my case. 🙄

Ues the OP can indeed ‘survive’. But why, if she can be more comfortable and productive at home? Just because you had to?

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:37

Mamadont · 30/07/2024 19:33

Lovely drying day for WFH. Get a couple of loads on, nice brunch in the garden and have a good chuckle about colleagues sweating their tits off in the office. I'm sure the animosity will be brewing.

And popping to the shops maybe?

Original poster
Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 19:36

Good for you @Despair1. But happily for me I don't just have to 'survive' - I have options.

OP posts:
Hiphopopotamonster · 30/07/2024 19:35

Yeah. As a rule mumsnet hates wfh and anyone who would prefer not to go in to the office arbitrarily even when they can do the exact same work from their home. I can only assume it’s jealousy or they’ve been reading the daily mail a little too much. There seems to be a bit of a race to the bottom - ‘I don’t have the option to wfh so I resent anyone having an easier schedule’

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:35

Otherstories2002 · 30/07/2024 18:01

Pre covid it wasn’t so easy to work from home. She now can. And given the heat, menopause and lack of air conditioning it’s perfectly reasonable to work from home.

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Heat, menopause and lack of aircon have been consistent in my workplaces and the nature of my work means you need to be in the workplace (like millions of others). Guess what, we are OK and survived

kittensinthekitchen · 30/07/2024 19:34

MrsSunshine2b · 30/07/2024 19:26

Gender is, and so is disability, both of which would mean menopause falls under the equality act.

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I see someone else has already corrected you on gender, but menopause isn't a disability ffs

BurntBroccoli · 30/07/2024 19:34

Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 19:31

I AM NOT FUCKING REFUSING TO GO TO WORK! Fucking hell. How many of you lot who are bashing me have jobs where you can't WFH and there's a tiny bit of jealousy going on?

Just cross posted with you exactly this!

LuckyCharm9 · 30/07/2024 19:33

As a H&S bod, the windows should not be locked for “safety reasons” at all!
they need to be open to allow air to circulate and to enable a comfortable work environment.

Mamadont · 30/07/2024 19:33

Lovely drying day for WFH. Get a couple of loads on, nice brunch in the garden and have a good chuckle about colleagues sweating their tits off in the office. I'm sure the animosity will be brewing.

kittensinthekitchen · 30/07/2024 19:32

Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 19:16

They're all locked!!

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Ah, locked is different from not being allowed to open them.
I'd take in a desk fan, assuming that's an option.

BurntBroccoli · 30/07/2024 19:31

For the avoidance of doubt, OP will still be at work and is not asking for the day off due to the heat!

Original poster
Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 19:31

I AM NOT FUCKING REFUSING TO GO TO WORK! Fucking hell. How many of you lot who are bashing me have jobs where you can't WFH and there's a tiny bit of jealousy going on?

OP posts:
Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:31

Mamadont · 30/07/2024 17:54

Im sure you'll survive. Everyone else is in the same boat.

Indeed and what about people working in restaurant kitchens amongst many other environments?

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 30/07/2024 19:30

You poor soul. Just as well your not a manual worker. Think about staff on wards doing a 12.5hr shift, menopausal and NO air-conditioning at all. At least you get to sit on your arse and have the option of getting yourself a fan.

Motheranddaughter · 30/07/2024 19:30

YABVU

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:29

Namechangejust · 30/07/2024 18:46

Yes it really is intolerable but I work with people going through this and they cannot just refuse to go to work . Air con is a fairly modern luxury and not something that many people have access too.

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Thank you. I am menopausal myself and get really irritated when people become the victim of it

MrsDoylesLastTeabag · 30/07/2024 19:28

MrsSunshine2b · 30/07/2024 19:26

Gender is, and so is disability, both of which would mean menopause falls under the equality act.

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Sex. Sex is a protected characteristic under EA 2010 and the relevant one here.

Gender reassignment is a separate protected characteristic.

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:27

Kitkat1523 · 30/07/2024 18:08

FFS 🙄

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Indeed

MrsSunshine2b · 30/07/2024 19:26

TeaAndBrie · 30/07/2024 19:20

Menopause isn’t a protected characteristic

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Gender is, and so is disability, both of which would mean menopause falls under the equality act.

Despair1 · 30/07/2024 19:25

YABU, what about the days before WFH was normalised? And the days b4 aircon? My workplaces throughout my career have been varied re age of building/availability of aircon etc and you just make do. A bottle of H2O and a fan will help. Re the menopause, that's been around forever. Regrettably, imo, too many people make problems out of situations that have been around for years

TroysMammy · 30/07/2024 19:23

There is air con I my work but my colleagues prefer to use electric fans. Electric fans that move warm air around!!!

Original poster
Floofydawg · 30/07/2024 19:21

Ok so I'll update. He was expecting us in. Even though I had to go home last week as I felt ill from the heat, and nothing has been fixed. I was hoping he'd take the initiative and I wouldn't have to go through the whole meno explanation again. But he didn't, so I messaged him and specifically asked. I've been given an exemption from going in this week.

OP posts:
TeaAndBrie · 30/07/2024 19:20

Bearpawk · 30/07/2024 19:06

Shocked at some of the posts on here.
Although there is no max legal workplace temp, there are lots of factors here such as the ac being broken and refusal to fix said air con, supply fans or open windows. you'd be well within your rights to request wfh as a reasonable adjustment based on menopause WHICH IS A PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC given that they have failed to do any of the above. Cite the equality act 2010.

Menopause isn’t a protected characteristic

Paetina · 30/07/2024 19:18

Does your manager really have no discretion to make an exception or do they just lack sense? Why on earth would someone want a member of their team to work under conditions that will negatively impact their performance when there is an easy alternative (i.e WFH)?

Have you actually spoken to them about this and asked for an exception until aircon is fixed? Not clear whether or not 'manager expects us to be in' means you've already asked and have been refused.

DTisawazzock · 30/07/2024 19:17

ftmtoson · 30/07/2024 16:58

I’m on the fence with this one.

On one hand you are unreasonable. There are millions of office workers who have to work 5 days a week in this weather without the luxury of an air con.

But on the other hand for them to not “allow” you to open windows to let air in when it’s 30 degrees seems unreasonable and dangerous on their part.

Is there a reason the windows aren’t able to be opened?

Opening the windows lets the 30degrees heat in.

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