Page 4 | To be worried about work with the temperature tomorrow

CassandraWebb · 29/06/2025 23:21

People need to understand that people have varying degrees of ability to cope with heat.

This might be temporary (eg due to medications or stage of life) or it might be more permanent ( a chronic or genetic condition)

I felt ashamed and embarrassed my whole adult life how hard I found it to cope in heat. Then at 42 I was diagnosed with a condition (Myasthenia) that explained exactly why - heat makes it harder for my nerves to communicate with my muscles, making every bit of me increasingly weak. On a really hot day I can barely talk or walk.

I reckon I could have gone my whole life without a diagnosis if it hasn't been for an observant optician, so there will be lots more people out there with conditions they don't even know they have, that means they find it harder to cope with heat

ToKittyornottoKitty · 29/06/2025 23:21

How could you do in person appointments for the NHS if you work from home? That makes no sense

socks1107 · 29/06/2025 23:19

Plenty of water, cool loose clothing. Everyone will be hot that’s just how it is for the next few days.
I'm moving from a hospital job to an office tmrw - it'll be better in the office as I don't have to run around. Just keep hydrated

justasking111 · 29/06/2025 23:17

Where I worked the engineers used to PAT test things customers brought in. Cost £5 per item. Well worth it.

alexalisten · 29/06/2025 23:15

Sabire9 · 29/06/2025 23:10

"it will be fine!"

Not for everyone.

In 2023 there were an estimated 2985 excess deaths as a result of very hot weather.

There's a reason for excess morbidity and mortality when it's very hot. Anyone on a high dose of antidepressants or antipsychotics, people with high blood pressure, people with diabetes, anyone with kidney disease, people over 65 - they're all at higher risk.

My 21 year old son is on chemo and a lot of psyche meds. He blacked out a couple of weeks ago on a day it was really hot. Ended up with a cut that needing gluing and a very swollen eye. Had no memory of what happened.

That's because in 2023 it was 40 degrees its only 30 tomorrow

MidSumner · 29/06/2025 23:11

Freakedoutandannoyed · 29/06/2025 19:25

I do a mixture of face to face and online appointments. I think it’s wrong that our office gets so hot though as many of our patients take medication which means that they can easily overheat and then we expect them to come to a building with 30+ temperatures and stuffy.

What has (safe) workplace temperature got to do with caring responsibilities?

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I hadn't considered it might be my medication rather than the medical 'event' making my reaction to the heat different this sumner! Sounds obvious now you mention it!!

Sabire9 · 29/06/2025 23:10

"it will be fine!"

Not for everyone.

In 2023 there were an estimated 2985 excess deaths as a result of very hot weather.

There's a reason for excess morbidity and mortality when it's very hot. Anyone on a high dose of antidepressants or antipsychotics, people with high blood pressure, people with diabetes, anyone with kidney disease, people over 65 - they're all at higher risk.

My 21 year old son is on chemo and a lot of psyche meds. He blacked out a couple of weeks ago on a day it was really hot. Ended up with a cut that needing gluing and a very swollen eye. Had no memory of what happened.

Auroraloves · 29/06/2025 23:08

Didntask · 29/06/2025 19:12

Is there no a/c or heating controls? Any external doors to open?

I’m in the same position as OP and nope! No AC, no heating controls, the office is inside a network of corridors and external doors are through about 7 fire doors. Sky light windows which open about 6 inches

all we have re USB plug fans which watched hot air around

hexagongoldbox · 29/06/2025 23:07

I do honestly think some people are just really not able to cope with being too hot the same way some people can’t cope with the cold and people that don’t feel like that don’t understand.

MidSumner · 29/06/2025 23:04

Miley23 · 29/06/2025 19:13

Gosh think how Nurses manage running around for twelve hours in thick cotton uniforms. I used to dread it. I do feel for anyone in an office with no air con. We are lucky the air con is decent. My ds is a health and safety officer and was just telling us how he felt bad about asking a heating engineer who was working in 40 degree temperatures in a loft to put his long trousers on ( he had switched into shorts).

Edited

Why did he ask him to wear long trousers??

Namechangean · 29/06/2025 23:03

Lots of bitter replies from people who can’t/hate working from home. I would say if you’re allowed to work from home then yes message in the morning and say you plan to work from home as you don’t manage well in the heat and the office isn’t set up for a heat wave. If you know your manager will be angry I’d just go in, but otherwise I think it’s fair enough

Ophy83 · 29/06/2025 23:02

Wear loose clothes and sandals if allowed. Take a water spray/mister for your face - and feet if needed. Keep hydrated.

Comet33 · 29/06/2025 23:01

Solidarity to those unavoidably working in stupidly hot environments/in sweltering uniforms/with sweaty teenagers but the martyrdom on this thread is something else 😂

VirginaGirl · 29/06/2025 23:00

How would WFH be any cooler than working in an office? Unless you’re planning in working from a paddling pool.

In the words of Peter Kay; ‘get yourself a Solero.’

It’s cooks, chefs, hairdressers, mechanics, builders, gardeners and anyone else who works in a genuinely hot environment I feel sorry for in summer.

Greeneyegirl · 29/06/2025 22:59

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with twins and looking after my two year old tomorrow, you'll live.

Miserableaf · 29/06/2025 22:53

Freeze a bottle of water. Put it in a cool bag alongside one to drink.

Jamesblonde2 · 29/06/2025 22:44

Just take a fan in.

LancashireButterPie · 29/06/2025 22:39

Freakedoutandannoyed · 29/06/2025 22:25

The stuff of dreams 🤣 I will ignore all the posters telling me to “get my ass into work” and I’m the problem that waiting lists are getting longer 😆
I will go in with my water and smile and do my best as usual, but I stand firm that it is unacceptable for NHS to not facilitate appropriate working conditions. Kitchens for example are very hot yes but are you trying to work with someone’s complex PTSD and manage their suicidal plans? I’m guessing not!

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Oh stop it OP, you are embarrassing those of us NHS professionals who will indeed be dealing with some heavy stuff tomorrow. Including patient facing both mentally and physically.
It's never crossed my mind to work from home because I'm hot despite being in the middle of the menopause.
I'll be taking a spare uniform top and some body spray.

Flimingo · 29/06/2025 22:33

Freakedoutandannoyed · 29/06/2025 19:10

I work in the NHS, based in a large open plan office. It’s pretty warm in there generally even when it’s cool outside. I’m really concerned about how hot it is going to be tomorrow and if I have any leg to stand on re working from home?

You are over dramatic.

alexalisten · 29/06/2025 22:31

Freakedoutandannoyed · 29/06/2025 22:25

The stuff of dreams 🤣 I will ignore all the posters telling me to “get my ass into work” and I’m the problem that waiting lists are getting longer 😆
I will go in with my water and smile and do my best as usual, but I stand firm that it is unacceptable for NHS to not facilitate appropriate working conditions. Kitchens for example are very hot yes but are you trying to work with someone’s complex PTSD and manage their suicidal plans? I’m guessing not!

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And wfh for the day like you wanted to would help that? How much energy does it actually take to tell patients to have a cup of tea, run a bath and go for a walk

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 29/06/2025 22:30

Think of me tomorrow OP, I'll be working in 60° heat with a full fire retardant suit on plus woolly socks so stop moaning 🙄

Only joking, I'll be at home, not working, in a very cool Scottish summer's day. I just wanted to join in on the competitive oneupmanship you always get on mumsnet cos god forbid you might be concerned about something.

DipsyDee · 29/06/2025 22:27

MoriftedinaFrenchEscapeRoom · 29/06/2025 19:33

They do on MN.

It's only a few weeks since people were agonising about cancelling expensive holidays because it was going to be raining/temps were too low. This week there have been numerous people wanting to cancel their holidays because it's going to be too hot.

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This did make me laugh

Original poster

Freakedoutandannoyed · 29/06/2025 22:25

Katieweasel · 29/06/2025 22:16

I will be taking a jumper to work tomorrow and using the blanket I keep in my drawer. The a/c in my office is insane!

The stuff of dreams 🤣 I will ignore all the posters telling me to “get my ass into work” and I’m the problem that waiting lists are getting longer 😆
I will go in with my water and smile and do my best as usual, but I stand firm that it is unacceptable for NHS to not facilitate appropriate working conditions. Kitchens for example are very hot yes but are you trying to work with someone’s complex PTSD and manage their suicidal plans? I’m guessing not!

OP posts:

Greenalien1 · 29/06/2025 22:24

Imagine what it's like up on the wards doing manual work and not allowed the windows open because the patients will scream at you for making it cold 🙃

Katieweasel · 29/06/2025 22:16

I will be taking a jumper to work tomorrow and using the blanket I keep in my drawer. The a/c in my office is insane!