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AIBU?

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Original poster

Am I being a wimp or is this unreasonable?

41 replies

KateSpade · 15/05/2014 20:11

So, yet again I am moaning about work... But please bare with me. I would like to know if I am genuinely being a wimp about this 'new' issue that has arisen.

So, basically we (me + 1 other job share In a fairly large dept) have been forced to wear our blazers, and are not allowed to take them off at any time. However, the lady I job share with has the radiator on all morning, 6 hours and our desk is directly in front of it. So you can imagine on a day like today, sat in an office with no windows, in front of a radiator wearing a jacket. It is so uncomfortable,

I had a conversation with the HR director today, after he walked past my desk and 'caught' me without it on, I said 'I'm sorry Mr Smith, I'm rather warm today' his response was 'it is not about how you feel, Kate is it it is about what I want and I say put your jacket on now' to which I apologised again and put my jacket back on.

Now, I wouldn't mind but.. His god daughter works at the same company, different office and refuses to wear her uniform as she has a mans shirt. And the CEO's daughter works here as we'll and has done for a lot longer than me, she is covering the holidays for his PA and today wore a hoodie, leggings and flip flops. I Kidd you not.

And just btw, underneath my jacket the uniform is a shirt with logo embroidery, and a scarf along with formal trousers.

If you got through that, please be my 'grandmother willow' (been watching Pocahontas) and tell me what my 'path' should be now?

....oh god Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
KateSpade · 15/05/2014 20:12

Pocahontas with DD of course....

OP posts:
MrsJaffaCakes · 15/05/2014 20:24

That's ridiculous! Are the male staff forced to keep jackets on too? The HR director sounds like a pompous old bastard

AElfgifu · 15/05/2014 20:26

Don't know how old you are or what you do, but from your account it does sound like you are being treated like a naughty child. take a room thermometer in with you and keep a record of the temperatures. 1m above the ground, in the centre of the room, with a room thermometer not an immersion thermometer.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 15/05/2014 20:30

My advice?

'Faint'

Then when you 'come round' lay it on thick about the heat and drop in about it being much more comfortable wearing the shirt "like HR's goddaughter does" so they know you have noticed the inconsistency with rules.

TateLux · 15/05/2014 20:33

How very bizarre. Not to mention unprofessional.
Why does she have the heating on 6 hours a day in the summer? Why don't you or others tell her it's too hot and turn it off?
Why didn't you mention to your boss about the others wearing hoodies etc?
I understand if your job is customer facing or that you have to go to meetings then of course you'd have to dress smartly and professionally but if you're just sitting at a desk then you have every right to not wear a blazer.
Is it in writing that you have to wear a blazer at all times? And what purpose does it serve? Did they explain?

Refuse to wear it when you feel warm and during your lunch hour get yourself to Citizens Advice.

purplemurple1 · 15/05/2014 20:33

Could you get light headed a few times and say Dr said it's prob due to over heating!

Do you have a health and safety person you could talk to? Offices should be kept at a reasonable temperature approx 21 degrees - you could ask them to come by your office. (there no law on exact room temps but I think it's in the welfare regs approved code of practice - you might find something on the health and safety executive website.)

UncleT · 15/05/2014 20:50

Get the radiator turned off?

Original poster
KateSpade · 15/05/2014 20:55

She says she's cold, I have asked her to turn it off a couple of hours before I come in but she's too cold,

I am just going round in a huge circle, my boss/higher staff won't let me take my jacket off, colleague won't turn the radiator off and facilities won't get me a fan - long story. So I feel I have absolutely no other options,

I don't know if some of you remember I've had problems with my employers regarding my epilepsy, but i offered to cover my colleague while she is off on holiday for around 10 days, I dispise working their, but it means I will get a break while on shift, and I could do with the dosh. So I said to my boss I would cover all the shifts - which would mean I would be working a full day. Her response
'Oh, no - you couldn't work full time for 10 days, you wouldn't cope with that, choose three days instead' Shock

This all sounds so ridiculous written down, I'm going through my head trying to make sure it's all real myself Hmm

OP posts:
ScouseBird8364 · 15/05/2014 21:21

Oh God, I worked in a place like this not so long ago! It's not Princes foods is it?!

Seriously though, you should be allowed to take it off, I'm sure it'd come under some sort of H&S law? xWink

RhondaJean · 15/05/2014 21:28

Couldn't the exceptional heat have an adverse affect on your epilepsy and thus their refusal to accommodate your reasonable requests about room temperature or appropriate clothing would be a breach of their duty as an employer under the Equalities Act??

BlackeyedSusan · 15/05/2014 21:53

there is (was) a regulation temperature for offices I think. i used to turn the thermostat up to the minimum required, in one place of work.

AmIthatSpringy · 15/05/2014 22:00

There is no maximum temperature for workplaces. The Welfare regs were recently updated but the decision was taken, after consultation, not to put maximums in.

It has to be comfortable though, and if it is too hot, your employer should take steps to reduce your discomfort - lighter clothing, water breaks, fans, etc.

Can't you just tell the other woman to switch the radiator off?

AmIthatSpringy · 15/05/2014 22:02

Sorry, OP just noticed you said she won't.

She should be layering underneath her blazer.

And if you have epilepsy, I would agree about the Equalitis Act - a reasonable adjustment would be to allow you to wear lighter/looser clothing

Fattyfattyyumyum · 15/05/2014 22:17

Surely your colleague can no more "not allow" you to turn the radiator off / open the window than you can "not allow"them to turn it on/close it.

You're an adult, the layered uniform is provided for a reason, of course you can take jacket off. Stand up for yourself & ask anyone who questions you to come up with a bloody good reason why you aren't "allowed " to regulate your own body temp.

maras2 · 15/05/2014 22:32

What he hell kind of job requires you to wear a uniform in the office?Do you have a union < probably not > or a health and safety officer? I've never heard such nonsense.It's 21st century FFS.

Loopylala7 · 15/05/2014 23:15

Could you offer her your jacket as well to keep her warm?! one way of getting out of wearing it and being a considerate colleague ;)

stella69x · 15/05/2014 23:27

'Fix' the radiator. Turn thermostat to 0 then jam said thermostat. Superglue should do it. (Extra layers in winter unless maintenance sort it first )

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/05/2014 23:36

Do people really still call their bosses "MrSomething"? Every workplace I know is first names now.

Are you commuting to work through a 1950s time portal OP?

littledrummergirl · 15/05/2014 23:38

Keep a diary of all the dates and times that other colleagues are allowed to wear non uniform or no jacket. Also ask to turn heating down every day, log who with and record external temperature plus temperature at your desk.
When you have a reasonable amount of these encompassing a wide range of your colleagues raise a formal grievance.
Perhaps include that you feel as though you are being treated differently/less favourably because of your epilepsy. (include not being allowed extra hours, date, time, who).
I think it should bring a response.
Remember that if they are not playing ball then evidence is key. Without it you have no case.
Join a union. Preferably one recognised by your workplace, if not pick one.

Icimoi · 15/05/2014 23:44

Any chance of moving to another room where they turn the radiator off like sensible people? Or can someone in HR talk to the room mate about how it is not fair to make everyone else suffer just because she can't be bothered to put an extra jumper on?

Original poster
KateSpade · 16/05/2014 07:49

If I'm honest I'm a. It disappointed in myself allowing myself to be treated like this if I'm honest, I know the right thing to do is to just leave, however I can't really leave without another job lined up, and unfortunately there isn't a right lot going round here,

OP posts:
londonrach · 16/05/2014 07:52

Faint

Thumbwitch · 16/05/2014 07:55

Are they trying to force you out of your job, by any chance? It does rather sound like it. You might be able to go for them for constructive dismissal if they are making it impossible for you to work under the ridiculous conditions they're imposing.

I agree that you should join the union and talk to the union rep about it; and keep a log of everything as PPs have said.

Original poster
KateSpade · 16/05/2014 08:17

I thought you could only go for constructive dismissal if you had worked there for 2 years or more? I've not actually worked their that long,

Well, I'm staying in tonight & applying for other jobs!

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 16/05/2014 09:06

Is it just the two of you in the room?

What would she do if you just turned the radiator off?

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