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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

having time off work due to heat?

190 replies

IneedAyoniNickname · 18/07/2013 23:36

I've seen a couple of things on facebook, saying that they (the govt) are considering allowing people in non.essential jobs to not have to go to work if temperatures reach 30 degrees or more.

The people that have posted about it all work in essential jobs, mainly care work. They were all of the opinion that if they have to work, everyone does. Ans part of me agrees.

BUT, surely they chose to have that career, knowing they didn't get time of for Christmas/Easter/bank holidays/extreme weather.

So what do mners think? Should people be able to stay at home, particularly those who work in un air conditioned places, in non essential roles?

What about young school children? Ds2 was actually sick. with the heat, so has had to stay off school for the last day and a half of term. Mum also suffers badly with heat, and occasionally passes. This is despite drinking plenty and avoiding sun.

Btw, my career plan is nursing, if I get into uni next year. I'm going into it knowing I'll have to manage in all extremes of weather.

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 18/07/2013 23:38

God how stupid. I lived in Adelaide and if they had that rule there, the country would be buggered!

I lived with no air con and a new baby! we were in that house for a year and did fine.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 18/07/2013 23:38

I always assumed, whatever post I was in, that I would have to go to work no matter what the weather was doing.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 18/07/2013 23:38

I have to add...by Aussie standards this isn't even hot! It's pleasant. Grin

VivaLeBeaver · 18/07/2013 23:40

How on earth do people in Italy, Greece, etc manage to work? One of my friends is Greek and laughed when she heard this. I do think people ought to man up to be honest.

Is just warm weather.....dress appropriately, drink lots.....people will be fine.

foreverondiet · 18/07/2013 23:40

My kids school closing at 1pm monday due to heat. But different for kids - think adults should have to go to work but every office I gave ever worked in is air conditioned...

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 18/07/2013 23:41

I wouldn't believe everything you read on Facebook...

McNewPants2013 · 18/07/2013 23:41

This country seems to crumble in extreme weather.

I work as a cleaner in a hospital, it's been difficult working in this heat.

It's all well and good advising people to stay at home, but where is the money lossed to company's going to come from.

ravenAK · 18/07/2013 23:42

How would this be a Govt. decision? Unless you're directly employed by by them. I'm not sure how they'd go about getting small business owners to send their workforce home.

It's not even that hot! Sweaty & unpleasant, yes, life threatening - probably not so much.

Original poster
IneedAyoniNickname · 18/07/2013 23:42

I agree btw. Even if I did a non essential job I'd expect to go to work in this weather.

I'm not sure what a non.essential job is either, I'm.just.using the words I saw on fb. I know I'd be annoyed if the local shops were closed due to heat.

OP posts:
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 18/07/2013 23:44

It's the same argument as when there's snow.

We're crap in extreme weather because we get it so rarely. In the grand scheme of things.

So why invest in it?

We havne't had a summer like this in 10 years. Why should businesses suffer losses by people taking time off cos it's a sunny day?

Hiphopopotamus · 18/07/2013 23:44

Ridiculous. I work in a care giving tole. I worked Christmas Day, bank holidays are not a consideration, and weekends have lost their meaning.

However, I did not sign up to be at work while other people in other tokes leave because it's too hot. We gave no air conditioning, and our office is hot. But either a persons job is a role that needs filling, or it's not. If I had such a minimal role in society that I could afford to stay home because it's HOT, I would be considering the value of what I am doing with my life.

(Sorry for the rantiness...this one got to me...Blush)

Original poster
IneedAyoniNickname · 18/07/2013 23:44

mary that's why I've said it was on facebook, so people didn't start asking me to link to news stories. I know it might not be true. Just wondered what people's opinions were

OP posts:
Mintyy · 18/07/2013 23:45

This can't be for real. Its just a bit warmer than usual.

HeySoulSister · 18/07/2013 23:46

I saw it on aol homepage today, so it's not just fb

maja00 · 18/07/2013 23:47

Typical FB bullshit - how would the govt authorise people who worked in non-essential jobs not to work?

If the heat has made you ill (eg if you are elderly/disabled/pregnant/more vulnerable) then obviously have time off. But most people can manage to go about their lives at 30 degrees.

scarlettsmummy2 · 18/07/2013 23:48

No, I think there needs to be some common sense about it and obviously those at risk of heat stroke from being on a building site etc should be very careful, but generally I would expect everyone to go to work! If you don't want to take it as holidays

ShellyBoobs · 18/07/2013 23:49

I think you Facebook friends are deluded as to what the government actually is and what powers it has.

'They' can't decide that people don't have to go to work.

A law would have to be passed (or at least an ammendment to HSAW Act) outlawing the use of work areas above a certain temperature.

As far as I understand it, it's one numpty MP who's had a stupid idea and there's now the typical media hype.

Of course, when people found out they wouldn't be paid for not being at work, they might not think it was such a clever idea.

And as others have said, how on earth do people in genuinely hot countries manage?

Iaintdunnuffink · 18/07/2013 23:51

Are they referring to outside temps or the temp in the workplace?

Tweasels · 18/07/2013 23:52

What classes as a non essential job?

marriedinwhiteagain · 18/07/2013 23:53

There is no statutory maximum temperature in the UK.

YABU. The middle east, africa, the med, australasia, india are all far hotter - at worst - have a longer lunch (siesta) and work into the late evening.

We have to get on with it.

Original poster
IneedAyoniNickname · 18/07/2013 23:55

I.don't know tweasels It's the language that was used on fb. I'd assume shop work, or any job that.doesn't involve saving lives? Maybe the sort of jobs where you get Christmas etc off?

OP posts:
Maryz · 18/07/2013 23:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

outingmyselfprobably · 18/07/2013 23:58

What Mary said. They chat almost as much bollocks on Facebook as they do on here.

Jinsei · 19/07/2013 00:02

Ridiculous! It's not even that hot!!!

Tweasels · 19/07/2013 00:02

I was thinking about what are non essential jobs and many of the ones I can think of are either outdoor based or likely to be in premises with air con (private sector).

Essential jobs are usually in the public sector where you are more likely to be based in a dilapidated, not fit for purpose building with no adequate ventilation.

Must be FB bullshit.

Although if I were PM, we'd all get a day off once the temp hit 22 degrees Grin