having time off work due to heat?

[IneedAyoniNickname]

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.

What red toothbrush said

Ilovemyself, I'm a soldier, so changing my uniform is not an option sadly. I'm actually breaking the rules at the moment because I'm not wearing a t shirt under my heavy shirt/jacket. It was just too much.

It's daft really, because these days all my work is office based, so you think they'd design a more suitable uniform. But the cost cutting means that all the acceptable options (including a summer dress, or skirt/trousers and shirt, or desert combats that are thinner) were withdrawn, for one uniform to be worn by all, in all situations. 9 hours a day wearing all that is bloody killing me and my feet are a disaster area.

If I was back in Cyprus my working hours would be reduced to 0600 to 1330 and my office would have fans/AirCon. Temperatures are similar, but working conditions much different.

So I feel for others that are struggling at the moment. I'm not saying we need to give people days off work - that would be daft, but employers should be made to ensure that working spaces are as comfortable as possible - and if that means spending so money, so be it.

Ah, so you are a pongo. Lol. (Sorry, Ex RN)

I agree that in the services they can be a little too unforgiving. It's not like you are in training ( when I think you just need to go with it as war doesn't stop for weather)

Perhaps tropical kit should be worn. I am sure the whites would be very fetching lol.

But the military is different to an office job - you don't sign up,to serve 21 years in a normal job. On the flip side, most companies will be scared of litigation and will work with you if necessary.

'Pongo' . Crikey, it's years since I've heard that!

Aye, I'm not really concerned about myself, knew what I was getting into and so on, but I think it should be incumbent on employers to plan for circumstances such as the last couple of weeks.

If we were a typically warm country then I'm sure there would be systems in place, but that shouldn't excuse companies from making sure their employees are comfortable at work, hot or cold. I mean if we are talking about people on the 'shop floor' so to speak, you can bet your last dollar that their bosses aren't suffering in the way their mere 'minions' are - the bosses won't be fighting over the last fan will they?

Just because you (the collective you, not aimed at Ilovemyself specifically) can cope, it doesn't mean that everyone else can. So I think employers should be 'forced' to put plans in place, no matter who they are or what type of business they are in.

Well I'd be screwed if that rule cams in, I'm a chef and the temp in the kitchen at the moment is about 42 - that's with the industrial extractors and fans going full whack! Wearing a massive great long sleeved chef jacket and hat :(

It's bloody hot in there but we just about manage, although every now and then I do go and stand in the walk in fridge to cool off :D

I do think schools need some kind of contingency for this weather. My DD's nursery (attached to a school) is so hot that quite a few of the children have been suffering mild heatstroke. DD was sick yesterday even though she was in light clothing, sunscreen, hat, given lots of water before and after nursery. Some small children really do suffer in this weather no matter what you do.

LtEveDallas. I have shown my age with the pongo comment lol.

KellyElly

What provision can schools provide?

All the fans that where bought last year are in use or broken, there are classrooms that only have windows on one side and they only open 3 - 4 inches.

BoneyBackJefferson Well it would be down to the individual school obviously. If it's so hot that children are getting heatstroke then they would have to close - same as in adverse cold weather conditions. If there is a shaded area outside, then lessons could take place out there, ensuing children kept constantly hydrated etc, looking at an a/c unit in the classrooms where very young children (nursery/reception) are taught as the lower your body weight the more prone you are to dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause organ failure so it's a pretty serious thing to take into account.

Kelly

If it's so hot that children are getting heatstroke then they would have to close

Leaving them open to the lazy teachers complaints.

If there is a shaded area outside, then lessons could take place out there

only if its a school with a very small intake.

looking at an a/c unit in the classrooms

Where will the money come from, small schools no budget, large schools to much expenditure.

My god there are some selfish "Get a grip, it's called Summer" attitudes about this on here!

Personally I'm all for the maximum temp being set at 30 degrees, so it will force employers to take responsibility for the welfare of their workers.

I expect my employer to take reasonable steps to make my time in work physically comfortable while I do their work for them. I should be able to expect to work in conditions where I do not have dizzy spells, headaches, nausea or have to spend the day in permanently damp clothes from excessive sweating. These are all symptoms of heat exhaustion, and just because YOU are not experiencing these unpleasant symptoms, it doesn't mean that your colleague sat opposite isn't.

If my employer can not or will not provide the means to drop the temperature using portable air con units, which can be hired for a short period, then it is not unreasonable for me to expect to go home early so that I personally avoid getting heat exhaustion. So please stop telling me to 'get a grip' and 'get on with it'. I'm not you, you are not me, we do not function or suffer in the same way. I suffer in the heat whereas some people suffer in the cold. We don't tell people suffering from hypothermia or frostbite to get a grip do we?

Also the unbearable humidity we suffer in this country can not be compared with the dry heat in the hotter countries you guys have been talking about. We are ill equipped to deal with that sort of discomfort without assistance.

Lupa I would be happy to send you home and dock your wages.

Argy i would be going into the toilets to the sinks and pouring cold water over my head and sitting in the office dripping wet if thats what it took to cool me down
My IBS is also worse in the hot weather. We are humans NOT fucking computers or machines.

No need for that Argy, some people really suffer and it's up to employers to make sure they don't. No-one's looking to skive off, just to be comfortable in work. What's the problem with that? Or have you no compassion?

We are humans NOT fucking computers or machines.

Humans that have survived a wide range of climates and weather conditions for thousands of years though being sensible and respecting it and learning to adapt to it, rather than just going any lying in a corner until it changes. We just don't respect the weather in this country - that does not mean air-con, nor does it mean that our climate is so changeable that its impossible to adapt. It just means we are ill educated.

Japan has a pretty similar climate and is prone to a variety of extremes of weather that are worst than our own. But we have cultural attitudes where sitting out in the full heat of the sun is almost actively encouraged, having a face that looks like a dead cow hide is viewed as attractive and we don't have a culture of making sure we do things like take on enough water... and its not acceptable to employers to allow people to take this into account. The reverse is true in the winter. How many girls wear next to nothing when out on the town and refuse to take a coat even in sub-zero temps.

Its our culture that is wrong, not the level of heat.

Besides, I think you'll find that without its own internal fan system a computer who die from the heat a lot sooner than a human.

Lupamonkey. Your attitude shows just what is wrong with work shy Brits today

I agree lupa.

Exactly the same as if the work place was freezing in the winter due to no heating. There would be uproar.

BTW Lupa. How do you propose you deal with those whose work is hot by its very nature? Or do you think that only office workers deserve this?

What Ilovemyself said, absolutely. And I have compassion in spades, for those who need it.

Ilovemyself, that flippant remark was a little presumptuous of you to say the least. I don't have an attitude, nor am I 'work shy'. I look out for workers' welfare. Too many employers are irresponsible and shirk their duty of care.

And I don't intend to deal with those whose work is hot by it's very nature. It is up to the employer to make sure their workers do not collapse from heat so that they can make a profit.

ArgyMargy compassion should be shown to those who are suffering through neglect. It's about priorities.

Lupa. Too many people are using the temperature as a reason to want to go home. And as an employee you have an equal responsibility to look after your own safety.

You sound just like the union leaders of the 70's who ruined this once great country.

Everybody out.................

So what should an employer of people who work in kitchens do to make for a more comfortable working environment?

Extremepie. It seems that it is only those that work in an office that are complaining as they have no answer for other environments. That figures.

And yes, I do work in an office.

if above 30 degrees is so unpleasant, why do people go to hotter countries in the summer? and frequently lie in the sun...?