Work not taking red alert seriously

[Founderflower]

Why are some people not taking the red weather warning seriously? Where I am it’s 39 degrees on Wed/ Thur but ‘feels like’ 42 according to BBC.

At work they’re expecting everyone in - the office is air conditioned, so fine, but we’re central London so everyone needs to schlep in on public transport.

Red means a danger to life and not just for vulnerable people. Some people who are healthy will die because of the weather. There’s warnings of power outages and transport failures. So what happens if we get stuck on a broken down underground train?

I KNOW other countries see these temps regularly. But they are prepared for dealing with it. England is not and it fucks up. I don’t want a heart attack from sitting in 48 degree heat on a train. I’m really stressed out!

If it were a red warning around severe wind or rain or flooding they wouldn’t be telling everyone to come in! So why is heat seen differently?

No, it’s not “one rule for all”. If you can recall during Covid, some people were essential workers and didn’t get ordered to WFH.

by keeping the number of people travelling down, there will be less
stress on emergency services in the event that something breaks down.

OP can’t work from home, her company don’t allow it.

Her company not allowing it is not the same as being unable to work from home.
if Her role could have been performed at home during Covid, then it can be performed from home this week

It’s going to feel like 42 on Wednesday. That’s 15 degrees hotter than today. You do realise just how much hotter that is don’t you? It’s the same difference as 5 degrees and 20 degrees. It’s a massive hike.

Today has been nice. Hot but not humid and a good breeze. This is NOT what Wed/ Thursday will be like. Which is why there’s a red alert.

"One rule for all" is irrational if you are trying to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed with people suffering ill health just because of the heat, or having to evacuate people from crowded trains if they break down because of the heat.

Smilesey
You're wrong, the red alert is for everyone not just the elderly - check your facts first

@Meadowfinch this is MetOffice info for Thursday's red alert.

I’m in Scotland, so unaffected but we do have offices down south and they’ve been told to wfh if more comfortable for them this week. Common sense approach, we’re not in a life saving job (financial services) so no major issues for a few days. I have 2 employees in Essex and they’re going to wfh, the work will get done, no problem.

Can you use The Elizabeth line ? It is AC

Just to say as well, please think about the wildlife and birds. The heat is going to be just as intense for them as well. Fresh water in shady spots in the garden could make a huge difference, and birds are busy feeding chicks so will have to continue to forage. Please help if you can x

Not much use if the rails warp

Tell me you don't live in London without telling me you don't live in London 😅

Our work is letting everyone to wfh for rest if the week, despite the office having air con. I might go in anyway as it's much nicer there than baking at home.

This is this this, I lost two of my beautiful (but very high maints) silkie hens in the bastard hot 40c day of 2022 and it ultimately led to me no longer keeping chickens because of how heartbreaking it was. And I gave them shade, watermelon, frozen sweetcorn pops. Their little bodies just couldn’t cope.

My dad was from the Middle East - high 30s normal. Low 40s not unusual.

He would say that they heat here was 100 times worse. Not built for it, most infrastructure designed to 'keep warm'. Hours and hours of daylight and antiquated transport systems.

Everyone saying everyone needs to 'crack on', are actually idiots.

People use public transport to get to work. In a lot of cases, public services Inc education and health care.
I know from experience how stifling it can be but we need to take responsibility for minimising affects as much as we can.
People providing health and social care and education can't decide if they should go to work depending on the weather.

Just to clarify, I am quite the opposite of a climate change denier. I agree that human activity is the main factor in rising temperatures and general climate instability. This summer is going to become the norm. We have to adapt to survive. Catastrophising a few days of hot weather, expecting to suspend normal daily functioning when the mercury goes above 35 and whingeing about having to work in warm weather all suggest a clear unwillingness to adapt and survive.

Agreed. I’m just ignoring this poster now as they’re aggressive and not very bright which is a double whammy!

HR here and we are saying that if you can do your job from home, and would like to, then do. Of course for some working from the office is preferred as it might be cooler than the alternative. We are treating people like adults and allowing them to make their own decision based on their circumstances.

Not a regular London Underground user then, @PinkNBlueBunnies?

Yes, adapting to a changing set of circumstances is a good idea.

There is some extremely odd thought processes on this thread.

surely it’s not rocket science to understand that if people can work from home then they should, thus relieving crowding and infrastructure for those who NEED to travel.

You wouldn’t be suggesting the crack on attitude if it were a force 10 gale, you’d be quite rightly saying people were being reckless if they don’t need to travel.

My son works outdoors for a grounds maintenance company. They have contracts to maintain lawns/hedges/ flowerbeds. They have been told no changes will occur to their working day. They have to wear safety boots, jackets and high viz thick trousers. Not allowed even to wear shorts as they are using strimmers, mowers, weed killers etc. I feel for anybody like him who has to work outdoors in 40 degree heat and safety clothing.

You have my full sympathy OP. Not only having to deal with the heat but also dealing with the twattery on this thread.

I was on the tube on Saturday and it was sooooo hot. Unbearable.

UPDATE: company wide email overriding manager.

Everyone who can should consider working from home as although the office is air-con they’ve been advised that the commute will likely be both dangerous and severely affected by the heat. They don’t want anyone to risk their health.

Thank god