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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:
goodasitgets · 19/07/2013 19:17

We've just been given permission to wear our own clothes. Combat trousers, polyester shirt and heavy boots weren't made for this weather!

IfNotNowThenWhen · 19/07/2013 19:32

I have lived in a hot country, and this is much worse, because you can't escape it.
In most hot places inside is usually much cooler than outside, many places indoors are air conditioned, flats have marble floors and shutters etc.
My workplace has been 40 degrees all week. It has been really hard to breathe, let alone work, we are all pouring sweat and making stupid mistakes.
It's nice, this weather, if you have a car (much cooler than a bus) and work somewhere reasonably cool.
It's not ridiculous to not be able to work in continuous extreme heat.

dayshiftdoris · 20/07/2013 00:43

Flowery

Organisations have to ensure they provide heating to negate low temperatures why shouldnt they be required to do the same for high temperatures?

soontobeburns · 20/07/2013 01:03

We where all discussing this work today. Luckly we have brilliant bosses who got extra fans and air con units and ice lollies for the staff from their own pocket.

I signed up for overtime tomorrow but im not going in it is too warm. It also prevents sleeping which makes you worse.

flowery · 20/07/2013 07:06

They don't have to provide heating. No one goes round checking every workplace has heating. But here is a minimum temperature in the HSE Approved Code of Practice (not technically law) below which employers generally cannot ask people to work.

There is no way any government would pass a law requiring every workplace to provide air conditioning, that would be ridiculous, completely unenforceable and not worth it for the very few days a year where this is an issue.

You are advocating a legal maximum which is a valid point of view. I was simply pointing out that such a law would not protect you from daft management decisions about uniform, and may have the effect of staff walking out.

Having said that, I don't think you need a legal maximum. Your employer is required to take reasonable steps to ensure your health and safety including mitigating the adverse effects of high temperature, and to me it sounds like they are not doing that. So I think you have a reas

flowery · 20/07/2013 07:06

Sorry, I think you have a reasonable complaint on H&S grounds without needing a maximum temperature regulation.

SuiGeneris · 20/07/2013 07:10

It's bonkers. It is not 50 C, it is a bit over 30. Lovely weather. Just dress sensibly, stay hydrated, eat properly (fruit, fresh vegetables, not meat and creamy stuff) and be sensible (stay in the shade, close curtains, open windows) and you'll be fine.

Do you really think people in other countries don't go to work when it is a bit warmer? Get a grip.

SuiGeneris · 20/07/2013 07:14

And no, aircon and fans are not standard in those countries. More common, yes. But many (most) houses and for example schools do without.

In any event, sadly it is now cold again: typing this from under the duvet...

LtEveDallas · 20/07/2013 07:16

...and if you cant 'dress sensibly'?

SuiGeneris · 20/07/2013 07:24

You do all the rest and minimise the impact. I wear a suit with tights to work. In this weather I travel without tights, shirt and jacket and put them on when I get there.

LtEveDallas · 20/07/2013 07:36

I have no choice in the clothes I wear. The boots and woolly socks alone have meant my feet are in shit state now. Plus the office is half wall windows and we have a choice between open windows but no blinds or blinds with closed windows.

Your blanket 'get a grip' is rather unfair unless everyone has the exact same circumstances as you.

Souredstones · 20/07/2013 07:48

We've been granted dress down days for the duration of the heat wave and told we can bring fans in to go alongside the aircon

However

We are expected to be in work. Which is a totally reasonable request!!

Shutupanddrive · 20/07/2013 07:50

It's ridiculous! I work in a bakery/coffee shop and yes it's hot but we just have to get on with it

elQuintoConyo · 20/07/2013 09:21

In Seville it's 39°. They drape large pieces of white muslin-y fabric between the buildings in the main shopping district so you don't sunburn going to work/shopping. It's beautiful!
I think the story is a windup. Heat like this doesn't stop Brits getting pissed and burning like lobsters in places like Salou every year!

whatever5 · 20/07/2013 12:42

SuiGeneris- air con and fans may not always be standard in hotter countries but building are traditionally designed to stay cooler in hot weather (white thicker walls, small windows, shutters etc).

Buildings in the UK are not usually designed to stay cool in summer. If you do not have air con/fans it will be very very hot especially if you are high up in a building.

valiumredhead · 20/07/2013 13:19

The comparison with 'hot countries' is ridiculous. Even my Australian physio was struggling yesterday and we talked about how houses aren't built for the heat in the UK etc.

ComposHat · 20/07/2013 15:49

The problem woth thos thread is that it fsils to account fot the facy that Facebook is full of made up bollocks.

BoneyBackJefferson · 20/07/2013 16:05

I suspect that it started here and has just snowballed (no pun intended)

ReallyTired · 20/07/2013 16:13

I find it laughable that Gove wants to get rid of the summer holidays, but then there are suggestions of closing schools in hot whether. Its no wonder that the private sector think that public sector workers are lazy!

Ilovemyself · 21/07/2013 23:28

Stop calling it a heat wave people. It's called summer..........

crashdoll · 22/07/2013 07:47

It's the hottest day today for 7 days, it's not a usual British summer.

crashdoll · 22/07/2013 07:47

Oops.....7 YEARS!

valiumredhead · 22/07/2013 07:54

Errr we were on level 2 heat wave, shall we call it summer just for you?Hmm Wink

Ilovemyself · 22/07/2013 17:44

We never had heat wave warnings years ago. People used common sense and got on with it. The trouble is sheeple now need to be told how to react in every situation. And hottest day for 7 years is no big deal. You should be able to remember what you did then.

It's just the typical British way of not being able to cope, just like with snow in winter

God help us if we have a real natural disaster.

HoneyStepMummy · 22/07/2013 17:50

These people need to get a grip. I used to work as a flight attendant in Phoenix AZ during 110 F wearing a full uniform. It was so much "fun" boarding a flight where the AC wasn't running on the ground.
People in the Middle East, South America, and Africa seem to manage to work just fine even when the weather is hot.