To refuse to go into a hot and sweaty office

[Floofydawg]

I've been WFH full time since Covid but we now have a directive of two days a week in the office. I can do my job fully remotely with no problems. I've been going into the office as directed but last week the air conditioning in the office wasn't working and we weren't allowed to open any windows to let some air in. The office was very very hot. I ended up going home because I felt ill and had a headache from the heat (I did work when I got home). Manager is expecting us in the office later this week even though the aircon is not fixed and we've been warned it could be warmer due to the heatwave. AIBU to refuse to go in?

I would also add that I am struggling with menopause and not being able to regulate my body temperature. Not saying I should get special treatment however I do struggle with it. I'd rather be home where I can open my windows and let some air in.

Go in, faint at 9.05am, go home.

Definitely give your reason that it is medical- menopause - I’m sure workplaces are supposed to accommodate workers legally in relation to the menopause - don’t quote me though, so I would check online and if I’m right I would say to them, they need to adequately accommodate for your medical needs if you are to come in or they are breaking the law, then they will probably let you work at home as they can’t be bothered with the fuss, or they might buy you a fan! But definitely google the law first!

I personally would speak to HR to nudge them down the route of WFH as a “reasonable adjustment” given the aircon situation and your symptoms of menopause.

I’m on the fence with this one.

On one hand you are unreasonable. There are millions of office workers who have to work 5 days a week in this weather without the luxury of an air con.

But on the other hand for them to not “allow” you to open windows to let air in when it’s 30 degrees seems unreasonable and dangerous on their part.

Is there a reason the windows aren’t able to be opened?

Does your manager know you are in menopause? If so then perfectly reasonable to not go into the office until aircon is fixed. Check acas website. You are entitled to reasonable adjustments and making you go in to a sweltering office which will make your symptoms worse is not ok.
That said, being in an office is not just about whether you can do your job in a particular location, it's also about team building and supporting junior team members and people who struggle with low contract levels. But time enough for that when the Aircon is working again.

Yabu

Your company should be providing temporary aircon on wheels if their permanent aircon is broken

That is what was provided in my work place

How would we run a country if everyone refused because of the weather?

Insubordination 😂😂😂. Where the hell do you work?

Take a fan in.

Employers have a duty of care to employees. It's unreasonable to expect employees to work in an overly hot office, prohibiting them from opening a window, if the job could be done just as efficiently from home.

Do they at least have some fans in your office OP?

They'll be people on building sites doing manual labour in rhe full glare of the sun and you can't manage office work?

@GreenWheat it's true in most workplaces that insubordination is a disciplinary offence; it's a legal term to reflect the fact that employee's are generally required to follow their employer's instructions.

I think they can ask you to come in, but need to allow the windows open (why don't they?) or provide fans. Could you also take your own desk fan? If they don't allow any of these mitigating measures then I wouldn't go in, or, as a PP said, turn up and faint in the first half hour.

So many people work in an office without aircon. No one is comfortable in this heat if you’re in an office without air con at the moment. You’re being a bit of a princess by making an issue about it - clearly because you don’t want to go to the office

I've never worked in an office with air conditioning. If your manager says you have to go in you go in.
Wear cool loose fitting clothing a dn drink plenty of water

Yes my manager is aware I'm in menopause.

There are no fans in the office and the only one I have is a big tower one - I'm damned if I'm buying one out of my own money just for the office.

Windows being locked closed is apparently for 'safety reasons.'

I'm perfectly happy to go in if I don't have to sit in 80 degree heat with no air coming in, and I have been doing for months.

I don’t think anyone has used that word in the workplace since 1995.

We have it in NHS policies. It is standard terminology

I would raise it, they do need to make reasonable adjustments for menopause as it can lead to indirect sex discrimination.

If one of my direct reports was suffering in this heat and with symptoms - I would be supporting them so they can continue to do there job, not making it harder and potentially causing them to go off sick.

My boss did this the year it hit 42 degrees - after i collapsed in a dead faint at the top of the stairs fell down the whole flight then was sick all over as I came round and had to have an ambulance and it became reportable under riddor they got a lot better at telling people to stay home in extreme weather. The paperwork OMG so much paper.

So many people work in an office without aircon. No one is comfortable in this heat if you’re in an office without air con at the moment. You’re being a bit of a princess by making an issue about it - clearly because you don’t want to go to the office

I’ve never understand this line of thought. ‘Everyone is uncomfortable so you should be too.’ Instead of the logic that is, ‘that’s a good idea to work at home for a day or so so you won’t be really uncomfortable’

It’s like some weird sado-masochistic trait at play. Definitely a British thing.

A reasonable adjustment would be to supply a fan or bring in your own & to have a bottle of water with you.

I don't think refusing to come in at all would be classed as a reasonable adjustment unless there was a red alert eg when we had 40 ° heat