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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about going in the office in this heat already?

228 replies

Chocolateapot · 23/05/2026 13:52

I work in an NHS building on the second floor with no aircon. There are windows but these only open a fraction and don't let much air in. When it is hot it gets so unbearable I end up feeling genuinely unwell with a headache. A few years ago apparently someone fainted the office got so hot. AIBU for already worrying about next week in this heatwave?

OP posts:
BlueMouseMat · 23/05/2026 15:29

Well it's going to be 32 apparently here in the Midlands so I don't think it's fair to shrug off the OP concerns not knowing where she lives and maybe you can cope with the heat better than she can. Your feelings are valid OP

I agree, my place of work has a glass frontage and no a/c. It can get to mid 30s in there sometimes. I just don't go in. It makes me feel ill.

Overitallnow · 23/05/2026 15:20

Get a next fan from Amazon

PumpkinPie2016 · 23/05/2026 15:19

The school I teach in is like a giant greenhouse so gets extremely hot in summer and I am on the top floor so in the hottest part of the building.

I am usually first in my department in the morning so I go round opening windows and doors and turning on available fans before it gets too hot.

Can you leave your door open? We leave classroom doors open to let a draft through.

Wear the lightest clothes you can.

Plenty of water and cool snacks e.g. fruit that has been in the fridge. Our staffroom fridge has a freezer box so sometimes we take turns to bring ice lollies for lunch or the end of the day 😂

Rituelec · 23/05/2026 15:01

Its not over dramatic. Its a few days a year but it can make people so sick.

Waheymum · 23/05/2026 14:59

Take a mini handheld electric fan. I did this when I was giving birth in hospital as some of the wards are so hot

BraOffPjsOn · 23/05/2026 14:54

they were saying on the radio the other day that schools and workplaces should have air con.
I would love that in my school as it gets unbearable in there - my poor SEN class become so dysregulated and upset.

Mayandwest · 23/05/2026 14:43

Not sure why everyone is being so negative. I work in an NHS building, also on a second floor with no air con and windows that barely open. Maybe we work at the same place haha. Anyway, it’s horrendous and I understand your pain. Last year I was pregnant and was so uncomfortable and they did nothing to make me feel more comfortable so no, you are not being unreasonable. Depending on what your job is, could you work from home for a day or two? If not, do as others have suggested and get a handheld fan and drink plenty of water. I completely feel your pain!

Dollymylove · 23/05/2026 14:42

A tad over dramatic methinks. Bring a portable fan in, or request one to be provided

Azandme · 23/05/2026 14:40

Third floor office in Cyprus, MOD building so no air con, or lift. Whole wall was single skin glass.

A hefty fan, cold water and appropriate clothing made it bearable even at 42°.

Was it nice? No. Did people cope? Yes.

Larrythecatforpm · 23/05/2026 14:38

Ffs get a grip, it only happens a few weeks a year just take a fan. God it’s the same when there’s a tiny covering of snow on the ground and people don’t know how to cope.

Feis123 · 23/05/2026 14:35

FFS

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/05/2026 14:35

Take a fan. And another thing colleagues and I did, during an extremely hot spell, was to spray each other with a very fine spray of water - using one of those bottles used for spraying plants. Very effective!

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:34

MissMoneyFairy · 23/05/2026 14:31

Fans need to be pat tested and can be an infection risk so are not always recommended, portable coolers or air-conditioning is preferred. Keep blinds and curtains closed, open windows if there's any air, plenty of extra drinks and ice chips for staff and patients. Staff can request to wear scrubs.

Show quote history

So? Pat testing takes nano seconds!

MissMoneyFairy · 23/05/2026 14:31

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:24

Argue it to management that fans should be provided for the patient safety. Put it in writing.

You will have them over a barrel!

Show quote history

Fans need to be pat tested and can be an infection risk so are not always recommended, portable coolers or air-conditioning is preferred. Keep blinds and curtains closed, open windows if there's any air, plenty of extra drinks and ice chips for staff and patients. Staff can request to wear scrubs.

Rituelec · 23/05/2026 14:31

Inknow people say get over it but it can b unbearable. Luckily no ones life is on the line in my care but I feel for NHS staff. I will be in the laundry rooms for holiday let's. The boss will be at the beach. It really sucks but I will get paid double time.

Have ordered an ice ring thing for neck, personal fan etc

CieloElmers · 23/05/2026 14:28

Speak to whoever is in charge of the office they maybe able to order some fans, if not I’d get a desk fan

OneSnugGoose · 23/05/2026 14:27

AuContrairePubicHair · 23/05/2026 14:04

"this heat" FFS, it's going to be mid 20s. Yes quite hot for the UK but not really extreme. Just take a fan and a couple of bottles of frozen water.

The NHS don't out out heatwave alerts because 'it's a bit hot'. They do it because it's extremely hot for this country and people can become unwell, act differently and people die.

It puts pressure on workplaces, NHS services, the Police, and people die.

That's the reality.

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:24

You think people will not turn up for the appointments because of the weather?

This country..,. Honestly, this is embarrassing

ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/05/2026 14:24

Viviennemary · 23/05/2026 14:23

We are a nation of wimps. I don't like the heat either. But I don't think it's going to be that hot. Just take in a fan. But they're probably sold out with all the scaremongering about heatwaves.

They are not sold out. Plenty on Amazon and in shops near me.

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:24

Chocolateapot · 23/05/2026 14:19

No fans in our clinical rooms. I'll be surprised if people come to their appointments.

Show quote history

Argue it to management that fans should be provided for the patient safety. Put it in writing.

You will have them over a barrel!

Viviennemary · 23/05/2026 14:23

We are a nation of wimps. I don't like the heat either. But I don't think it's going to be that hot. Just take in a fan. But they're probably sold out with all the scaremongering about heatwaves.

singthing · 23/05/2026 14:23

LoopyLooooo · 23/05/2026 14:08

And have a look at Amazon.

They sell neck fans that just literally rest around your neck.

I love mine and use it when I need to travel on the tube.

Actually thinking about the heat on the tube trains, it's a bloody good job everyone doesn't decide to 'just phone in sick' because of it.

Have just this morning got mine out to charge ready for next week. It's ace!

I'll also half-fill and freeze my water bottle on a slant, so I can top it up before leaving and get ice cold water. Just common sense stuff when you are commuting or in stuffy offices.

All this angst for a few days!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/05/2026 14:20

Chocolateapot · 23/05/2026 14:19

I'm not allowed my fan that I took in as they won't PAT test it... theres 2 fans for the whole office (of approx 40 people).

Next fan is personal and rechargeable, sorted

Original poster
Chocolateapot · 23/05/2026 14:19

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:16

Given its patient facing - I am surprised there won’t be fans set up at least

No fans in our clinical rooms. I'll be surprised if people come to their appointments.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolateapot · 23/05/2026 14:19

I'm not allowed my fan that I took in as they won't PAT test it... theres 2 fans for the whole office (of approx 40 people).

OP posts:
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