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.

I dread going to hospital and the overheating of them is one of the reasons why. Everybody knows germs thrive in the heat and yet hospitals and GP surgeries are like saunas

You've been argumentative, supercilious and cantankerous all the way through this thread so don't pull the manners card now.

Away and practice your empathy for your fellow humans and try to understand that everyone is different 👍

No I actually can't cope with anything over 20 degrees, but I unfortunately have no choice.

This isn’t my fight but I just have to take issue with your last comment. How on earth do you work out that, because a person is complaining about the heat, it’s because she doesn’t want to go into the office and is being a ‘bit of a princess’! What?? How presumptuous and rude of you!

My goodness! That sounds like hell on earth, and if it’s hot as well!! 🫢 Seriously (I was being facetious about the kids), that must be really uncomfortable. I remember when I was at school many years ago, when it was this hot, the whole class was taken outside and plonked under a huge tree where the leafy branches spread out for yards. That wouldn’t be allowed now, more’s the pity.

@sas758

"No I actually can't cope with anything over 20 degrees, but I unfortunately have no choice."

There is actually a choice for some people, but some employers are making this difficult due to a policy of presenteeism when there is actually no need if a job can be done perfectly well from another location.

Yes, some of us can work from home if circumstances allow and others can't. That's just the way it is.

I don't get 6 weeks holiday in the summer and had a massive struggle with childcare when my kids were young. Teachers don't have this issue. That's just the way it is and I accept that.

Your employer should make reasonable adjustments for your menopause symptoms. Raise it with your manager/HR.

Blimey, how did people manage before Covid? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Get yourself one of those fans you wear around your neck and a desk fan - problem solved.

Errrm - here.

Your manager who sounds like a micro manager who needs people around them for no reason needs to reflect on the rules about health and safety. I’m sure there were quite a few people who didn’t want to be in the office without air con and no windows.

you need to band together and look at the law on health and safety. There is no maximum temperature but there is common sense here. Get together with your colleagues and speak to the big boss about your concerns about being too hot and dehydration etc.

employers are starting to create menopause policies. If your employer doesn’t have one yet then maybe start the ball rolling on getting one in place.

employers need to learn that actually people are more productive at home as they aren’t distracted by co workers wanting a chat. Also in the office you will clock off at the end of your shift and head home whereas at home you might just get the piece of work finished and work over your hours. Ignore the haters

@beanii what's your point?

You went off on a rant saying that 'you hadn't said you'd refuse to go into the office' - when clearly you did - that's why people are slating you for 'refusing' to go to the office.

Can you email and offer an reasonable compromise? Say that you are finding it really difficult and uncomfortable working in the office with no air con or windows open and offering to work extra days in the office when the heat wave is over?
Would they provide portable fans?
Where I work none of the offices have air con but we can open windows and use portable fans.

What OP asked is if she was BU to refuse to go into the office, not to go to work which is what most people were saying she was doing.

OP was still going to work but from home.

@Fannyfiggs at least someone understands basic English.

😂😂

Some of the replies to you have given me the rage, on top of the menopausal rage. Double the rage 🤣

Hahaha the rage is real!

Hi OP. I see your boss agreed to you WFH last week so all good. But I just wanted to point out that your employer has a legal obligation to provide ventilation:

What the law says
Under regulation 6 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, employers must ‘ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air’.

(from https://www.hse.gov.uk/ventilation/overview.htm)

So if the air con still isn't fixed, your employer should be unlocking the windows so that they can be opened, at least at the beginning of the day when the air is cooler outside. I would suggest an email to your boss and HR pointing out the legal obligation to provide ventilation and asking them permit unlocking and opening the windows, until the air con is fixed.

This OP has started many a thread about her job and basically asking how to get out of going in to the office or other perceived unfairness. Oh and also how she’s gunning for redundancy and looking into other jobs

i suspect your manager would breathe a big sigh of relief if you handed in your notice op

I don't know why you're reviving this from weeks ago just to have another kick at me? Are you bored?

I know Floofy, I feel like your thread brought out all the numpties who couldn't or didn't want to comprehend what you were asking and why.

Nowt queer as folk right enough ❤️