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.

Going to work is pretty reasonable

Yes it really is intolerable but I work with people going through this and they cannot just refuse to go to work . Air con is a fairly modern luxury and not something that many people have access too.

Actually I was telling you to get a grip 😂

I'd say you're in the minority if you work in an office without aircon. I've only worked in one without it over 10 jobs, and it was because it was a 200 year old tall mill building. It's very, very common to have aircon in offices. And the fact it does have aircon implies they believe it would be too hot without it.

@Namechangejust
The OP will still be 'at work' just in a different location for a few days.

I don't understand the issue when productivity will surely suffer and we do actually have this technology now.

It is common with office air conditioning to have non opening windows. This is because people opening windows stops the air conditioning system working properly.
But since the air conditioning is broken, you should be able to wfh.

@Namechangejust your attitude is awful! Basically lots of people have suffered during heatwaves years ago, so tough.

You mean everyone capable of doing their jobs remotely? I think we'd run it exactly the same as we do now, except without as many people in offices for no purpose.

Air con is not modern luxury. Prior to covid it was unacceptable to work in cold or hot office. Even as a child growing in the 90's I remember the teacher moving us because the classroom was hot. The menopause is a protected characteristic under the discrimination or sex acts.

Pretty sure there is a maximum & minimum temp past which you’re not allowed to work.

Good luck finding it. Im sure they employer knows what its doing.

But what’s the point in sitting in an office sweating with broken air conditioning, no doubt pretty unproductive, when you could work at home?

It’s illogical.

Precisely. I'm not point blank refusing to work just because it's hot.

Can you not say, I can’t come in this week because of the temperature in the office and my medical condition (to paraphrase - not necessarily those exact words), but say you will come in the equivalent number of days another week when it’s cooler to make up for it?

@Brefugee there is no maximum temperate for the workplace according to HSE. Only minimum.

"we weren't allowed to open any windows to let some air in"

Fuck that, do you work for your mum?
Unless you work on an aeroplane or a submarine... open the window.

I said before I was on the fence but since then have remembered employers have a duty of care and whilst air con isn’t a legal requirement, ventilation of air such as opening the windows and doors during the hot weather to let air / a breeze in.

Shocked at some of the posts on here.
Although there is no max legal workplace temp, there are lots of factors here such as the ac being broken and refusal to fix said air con, supply fans or open windows. you'd be well within your rights to request wfh as a reasonable adjustment based on menopause WHICH IS A PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC given that they have failed to do any of the above. Cite the equality act 2010.

Did you report the faulty air conditioning? Do you not average out your WFH days, so just work more days in the office once they have fixed the air con or the weather is cooler.

There's never been a max working temp in the uk because it never used to be hot enough to warrant one, bit hard to let something we've never had 'be whittled away'

They're all locked!!

Opening the windows lets the 30degrees heat in.

Does your manager really have no discretion to make an exception or do they just lack sense? Why on earth would someone want a member of their team to work under conditions that will negatively impact their performance when there is an easy alternative (i.e WFH)?

Have you actually spoken to them about this and asked for an exception until aircon is fixed? Not clear whether or not 'manager expects us to be in' means you've already asked and have been refused.

Menopause isn’t a protected characteristic

Ok so I'll update. He was expecting us in. Even though I had to go home last week as I felt ill from the heat, and nothing has been fixed. I was hoping he'd take the initiative and I wouldn't have to go through the whole meno explanation again. But he didn't, so I messaged him and specifically asked. I've been given an exemption from going in this week.