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.

No, the reason why there isnt a specific upper temperature limit in the UK is because it’s very much specific to the job, building, person etc. There are, however, strict laws about ascertaining what is an acceptable upper temperature in specific circumstances.

Me too, maybe we’re wired differently…

Think about all the homes that now have heating on all day in the winter as someone is now WFH, whereas previously it would have been on a timer to come on an hour or so before they got home.

it's not me that has an issue. I go into the office when it's hot, if it's an office day for me (which i can choose, as many or as few as i like)

we don't have aircon, we have shades on the windows, open the windows in the morning until it gets warm outside then we close the windows and lower the shades.
Most of us have our own fans, i have a USB one which is great, and the company provides water.

But when it gets too hot? they are legally obliged to send us home.

"Of course I do, but these are hardly ‘extreme’ temperatures 😂 out office was 32 degrees today - that’s winter temperatures in some places in the world.
often places that have much less available to make themselves comfortable than we do.
get a grip!"

@TeaAndBrie

People who live other countries with extreme high temperatures have had time to acclimatise. We can't do that here due to fluctuations in weather and so people are affected more, especially menopausal women.

I can't believe all the minimizing posts. The way OP describes it she had clear symptoms of heat exhaustion, which is one step down from suffering an actual heat stroke and shouldn't be taken lightly. Yes many people work outside in hot temperatures - and a non-trivial number of people actually die from it if the employer doesn't take necessary precautions including lenghty breaks or sending them home altogether. Talk about fans is silly - they don't lower the temperature, they merely stir the tepid air around a bit but won't prevent heat exhaustion.

OP as others said I'd get in touch with HR, but possibly also with your GP for a letter. One possible measure you could take if your workplace is exposed to sun: bring in some foil emergency rescue blankets and tape them to the window with the silver side out.

Why on earth aren't you allowed to open the window? I actually would take the tower fan in with me in your shoes

I think they need to make reasonable adjustment for you, get you a fan and you need to go to work and stop whingeing

Have a read of this

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/06/Temperature-at-Work-Quick-guide-2022-update.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR11fv5dNK4GlU6ccIUl7tYoUohioZwHUXfZraTJ_-MrwZOCgplThL-PMVE_aem_Q_lBVm661KvDZJ9CVDBJXQ

Union rep here. Employer, as a pp says, needs to provide fans etc. Water should be freely available at all times. Your business should have a menopause policy. Request it. Windows not allowed to be opened for ‘safety reasons’? In case what, you all leap out?!

when it is warmer outside than in, it makes no sense to open the windows.

in OPs shoes, I'd grab the tower fan, take a tea-towel to dampen and drink lots of water.

I would also be asking HR for reasonable adjustments, and if necessary permission to WFH until it's cooler.

I don't get your resistance to bringing in your own fan though, in the meantime. They are very cheap.

Opening the window makes it hotter as the warm air then comes in. You also need to keep the blinds shut, preferably blackout ones.

Windows should be opened at night with a fan pointed at them to cool the air in the room.

Our office aircon is really good but we tell people to consider whether their commute is safe in the extreme heat. We're not used to it in this country nor are we very well set up for it, people can die more easily than you think.

Posters saying things like "there are builders out there" or "it's like winter in some parts of the world" don't come across very well. OP is not a builder, she can do her job from home, this is not the tropics. she's asking for a one off exception. The heat won't last long, and presumably she will go in when it cools down or the aircon gets fixed.

Yes but some people have medical reasons that make the heat even more unbearable aka menopause. I take a type of antidepressant that means it is hard for my body to cool down after it has become hot. I can take a cool shower and still be hot. So just struggling through is not an option when it becomes dangerous. My work are aware , I work in a school and they make sure when it’s hot I’m not in the hottest rooms of the school and I have access to a shower and fan in classroom and office. It helps but definitely feel so much better when I can get home and strip off !

Yes, plus we don’t get a lovely siesta

Think about all those WFH people who have bought nice thick slippers and those hideous oversized fleeces plus are saving a fortune on travel costs and cheeky Costas on the commute.
My DD, who is an accountant, calculated how much she and her DH saved in a year when WFH fully. Believe me, it was far more than she paid in extra heating bills. His commute costs alone were around £!200.

Yep, when I worked in offices all through the 80's and 90's we were terrified of the 2 hot days a year that constitute a British summer. You couldn't move for people gasping for air and water or collapsing left right and centre. Some members of staff actually went insane. Thank god I switched careers to work in a commercial kitchen!

Why on earth not?

Buy a cooler towel, they are really good.

Sounds like you were waiting for any excuse to come along to not go in.

I don’t have to suffer either of these scenarios now but I take umbrage at this reply! People on building sites do it from choice, it’s their job and, therefore they must have known the score. People choose to work in offices where they don’t expect to have to battle with the elements. They have a right to be cool and the office should provide fans if air conditioning isn’t available.
I wonder how YOU would like it!

It wasn’t a personal attack…just a statement of fact.

It’s a pain having to go to the toilets wrestle with my bra & dab some tissue on the boob sweat.

not good when air con is crap

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!

It’s quite common for people to collapse on the commute to or from work when the weather is hot. Surely it’s better to make reasonable adjustments for a menopausal woman during a few exceptional days rather than anyone becoming unwell?