To refuse to work tomorrow?

[QuestionableMouse]

It's been hell today. No heating. No hot water. Door playing up because of the wind so at times we've had snow and sleet blowing in. It's fucking freezing. I'm also really feeling the cold due to anemia so once I get cold it takes me an age to get warm again.

I'm meant to be on a ten hour shift tomorrow but I'm honestly thinking about ringing in sick because it's so damn cold. I did a temp and it was 12c on the dining area. Manager refuses to close and it'll be the same tomorrow.

Wibu to refuse to work?

I work outside - it a high of 3 degrees tomorrow

@Morgysmum

I would say no, I would if I was you, say you have a stomach bug, I guess you work in food? Or somewhere that serves food, so you cannot work with stomach problems. But surely no heating or hot water, isn't great, let alone the door not shutting.

@Morgysmum. She said 23 hours ago that she works in McDonalds.

I don't know if you realise or not but you can set your preferences to show OP's posts in a different colour, you can also use the 'see next' or 'show all OP posts' so you can at least read OP's posts if you don't want to read a whole thread.

Genuinely trying to be helpful not pissy'

You have every right not to work in inhumane conditions. (As does everyone else in the world). If pulling a sickie is the only way to exert that right, then use it. Its not your fault you have to.

@RedHot22

I work outside - it a high of 3 degrees tomorrow

Sounds very appealing. NOT but I used to work in ski resorts in much colder weather snd in a blowing game, but the difference is I could & presumably you can, wear suitable clothing snd had no expectation of it being a reasonable temperature. I didn't have health issues in those days either! (The op does)

How did today go?

No hot water in a business serving food?! For the sake of the customers as well as staff report this to health and safety! Wtf is this manager thinking?!

Outrageous behaviour putting so many people at risk!

For yourself as you're not apparently already in a union I would urge you to join one ASAP

But more importantly report his arse! To H&s to regional manager as many people as possible

We had a hand wash station thing that heats the water for staff hand washing, but the customer loos only have cold water.

They also got a hot water urn thingy for hot water for cleaning.

1 not sure I believe this

2 not sure this is legal as there's still a massive issue with spreading of germs in a food environment. There are strict regulations on the type of hot water provided and how it works etc as stagnating hot water is also unacceptable in a place serving food

Stop dithering and report this manager/branch

How on earth would they know what you are wearing UNDER your uniform?

It seems the union most McDonalds staff are members off is the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU)

Just quit OP if its that bad. As its McDonalds, they'll have no problem finding other staff.

I wouldn't call in sick. I would point out that the temperature legally has to be warmer than that. Our air-con went crazy one year and they had to send thousands of employees home because it was too cold.

urgh been there in retail. Thermal layer under workclothes and thermal socks. I even wore plastic bags over my socks to keep my feet warm. Join a union.

@RedHot22

I work outside - it a high of 3 degrees tomorrow

But surely you chose that job and are able to dress accordingly, and get paid accordingly?

Ex mcdonalds employee and husband was a Mcdonalds manager we wouldn't be open if we had no hot water when we worked there. You can't clean properly without it. Its not just about cleaning hands but the kitchen utensils etc need washed properly to.

Also you can wear base thermals noone knows what you're wearing under the uniform. I used to wear them when on opens or close shifts as it would be chilly.

26QuestionableMouse

Gingernaut

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, get thee to a supermarket that has clothes and look for long sleeved t-shirts the same colour as the shirt, tights or leggings (if long johns aren't available), extra warm socks and gloves the same colour as the uniform.

I have all of that. The thing is, I'm not allowed to wear it. I have to stick to the uniform.

Of course you could wear thermals underneath. How would they possibly know.

@girlmom21
Absolutely, but it still makes me smile when people complain when it’s cold. We can all wear suitable clothing.

The no hot water is shocking in a restaurant though, fortunately I never go near McDonalds

I am SO sick of people not standing up from themselves and just lying rather than dealing with issues like a mature adult. Have a word with your manager and be honest about why you will not be working tomorrow (you have to at least show up and see if conditions are acceptable or not first). Why do you think it's ok to lie, how is that going to improve your situation long term?

Are you only expecting takeout customers or something? No-one in their right mind would want to sit in temps of 12 inside to eat a meal, even if it is a quick one. As for the lack of hot water for customers. The manager should be ashamed when we are about to enter a new period of restrictions for this new variant....

I would go into work, OP, in my thermals, even wearing a beanie under my hat or something. What are they going to do - sack you while they're breaking the law?! And I would take a fan heater and plug it in somehwere it was on me. Take those hand warmer pad things for my pockets. Sip from a hot drink every so often. I think you somdtimes have to show willing at work until management sees the light and closes early. Take a thermometer with you, and if your body temp drops below a certain temp then just tell your manager you're not well, show him/her the thermometer etc etc

Also post on social media about being cold in work. Name the branch. Again, what are they going to do if facts are facts?

@WiddlinDiddlin

How on earth would they know what you are wearing UNDER your uniform?

New policy for MacDs. They now strip search their employees before the shift begins. Any long-johns or extra T shirts are IMMEDIATELY removed, destroyed and a written warning given!! They aren't messing around these days! I fear for anyone found wearing a thermal vest...

It’s not like you’re cancelling peoples surgeries or letting down a class on a school trip - it’s McD’s. I wouldn’t go. You deserve to be comfortable at work - call head office and report the temperature and have a duvet day - in fact, 2days is always more convincing.

@CallMeK

I am SO sick of people not standing up from themselves and just lying rather than dealing with issues like a mature adult. Have a word with your manager and be honest about why you will not be working tomorrow (you have to at least show up and see if conditions are acceptable or not first). Why do you think it's ok to lie, how is that going to improve your situation long term?

I'm rather sick of people who don't read threads:

And I wouldn't be pulling a sickie - I'd be telling them exactly why I wasn't going in.

Sounds hell and sounds a lot like my children's school where they have to sit with open widows but aren't allowed to wear their coats.

I worked in retail in Scotland and was expected to wear party dresses at this time of year in similar conditions. Except all winter.

And I wouldn’t do it, now I’m older.

DH has Raynaud’s and his office insists on having windows open all winter cos they won’t sack some smelly **stard and his hand are a riot.
Not good to be freezing even if you’re well.

*similarly I now work outside and its often -8 in winters , but I’m DRESSED for it.

Hope your local paper picked this one up, modern slavery

12 degrees isn't that cold, and you'll be moving around, which makes a difference. I work from home at a computer and don't usually put heating on until it goes below 10 degrees. I don't have your medical condition though. Layers make a big difference. And thick socks in decent shoes.

It sounds horrible but also sounds like you're not actually sick.

Agree, if it’s not fixed I would not go in and tell them why like you say.

Hospitality sector are desperate for staff right now so sure you’d find something with better conditions quick. If you don’t look after your staff you’ll lose them.