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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that “professional” standards shouldn’t apply during periods of extreme weather?

209 replies

toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:38

I live in an area that has a red weather warning for extreme heat for the next two days.

Today the office was sweltering. It’s been 35° minimum all day, but in the office it’s been closer to 40°. We’ve all been unable to function.

We had a “friendly reminder” that the dress code still applies - dresses to mid calf, no shorts, shirts must cover to the mid arm.

AIBU to say fuck it and turn up in a T-shirt and shorts tomorrow? We have no client contact whatsoever, I will not see a single service user tomorrow. The only people I will see are my coworkers.

My line manager has said she’s fine with it, but if the “big bosses” walk in (from their air conditioned office!), we may get in trouble.

Surely the worst they’ll do is send me home, which is a win for me 😂

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 24/06/2026 15:49

So wait only some of the office/s have aircon?

How does that work?

Original poster
toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:48

Hoppinggreen · 24/06/2026 15:46

How will wearing shorts above the knee and having your shoulders out stop your health being at risk exactly?
As I said, you can look professonal AND wear cool clothes - its not one or the other

Show quote history

Cooling me down? Instead of sitting in a hot office with damp clothes sitting against my skin, just getting hotter - it’s literally so hot that sweat isn’t drying. The less surface area covered the better. If I was out and about I’d see the point about covering up, but it’s literally like sitting in a sauna.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 24/06/2026 15:46

toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:42

I just don’t think there’s a need to when the office is nearly 40°, we don’t have contact with service users and we’re putting our health at risk to work

Show quote history

How will wearing shorts above the knee and having your shoulders out stop your health being at risk exactly?
As I said, you can look professonal AND wear cool clothes - its not one or the other

Original poster
toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:45

Ablondiebutagoody · 24/06/2026 15:44

Instead of moaning, go off sick if it's genuinely putting your health at risk

I wish but they’d know instantly it’s because of the weather, plus we don’t get unlimited sick days so I need to be careful about taking any

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 24/06/2026 15:44

Instead of moaning, go off sick if it's genuinely putting your health at risk

Original poster
toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:42

Hoppinggreen · 24/06/2026 15:39

I disagree, you can look smart and professional AND dress for the weather.
Cool clothes don't necessarily have to show lots of skin

I just don’t think there’s a need to when the office is nearly 40°, we don’t have contact with service users and we’re putting our health at risk to work

OP posts:
Original poster
toohotforallthis · 24/06/2026 15:42

KilkennyCats · 24/06/2026 15:40

Will you really be cooler in T-shirt and shorts than a dress? I doubt it.

Absolutely.

The office is unbearable. I’ve worn a dress today and it’s been horrendous. If I was client facing I’d suck it up, but I literally won’t see anyone other than my coworkers - who are all in the same boat and feeling the same way.

OP posts:
KilkennyCats · 24/06/2026 15:40

Will you really be cooler in T-shirt and shorts than a dress? I doubt it.

Hoppinggreen · 24/06/2026 15:39

I disagree, you can look smart and professional AND dress for the weather.
Cool clothes don't necessarily have to show lots of skin