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.

There is air con I my work but my colleagues prefer to use electric fans. Electric fans that move warm air around!!!

YABU, what about the days before WFH was normalised? And the days b4 aircon? My workplaces throughout my career have been varied re age of building/availability of aircon etc and you just make do. A bottle of H2O and a fan will help. Re the menopause, that's been around forever. Regrettably, imo, too many people make problems out of situations that have been around for years

Gender is, and so is disability, both of which would mean menopause falls under the equality act.

Indeed

Sex. Sex is a protected characteristic under EA 2010 and the relevant one here.

Gender reassignment is a separate protected characteristic.

Thank you. I am menopausal myself and get really irritated when people become the victim of it

YABVU

You poor soul. Just as well your not a manual worker. Think about staff on wards doing a 12.5hr shift, menopausal and NO air-conditioning at all. At least you get to sit on your arse and have the option of getting yourself a fan.

Indeed and what about people working in restaurant kitchens amongst many other environments?

I AM NOT FUCKING REFUSING TO GO TO WORK! Fucking hell. How many of you lot who are bashing me have jobs where you can't WFH and there's a tiny bit of jealousy going on?

For the avoidance of doubt, OP will still be at work and is not asking for the day off due to the heat!

Ah, locked is different from not being allowed to open them.
I'd take in a desk fan, assuming that's an option.

Lovely drying day for WFH. Get a couple of loads on, nice brunch in the garden and have a good chuckle about colleagues sweating their tits off in the office. I'm sure the animosity will be brewing.

As a H&S bod, the windows should not be locked for “safety reasons” at all!
they need to be open to allow air to circulate and to enable a comfortable work environment.

Just cross posted with you exactly this!

I see someone else has already corrected you on gender, but menopause isn't a disability ffs

Heat, menopause and lack of aircon have been consistent in my workplaces and the nature of my work means you need to be in the workplace (like millions of others). Guess what, we are OK and survived

Yeah. As a rule mumsnet hates wfh and anyone who would prefer not to go in to the office arbitrarily even when they can do the exact same work from their home. I can only assume it’s jealousy or they’ve been reading the daily mail a little too much. There seems to be a bit of a race to the bottom - ‘I don’t have the option to wfh so I resent anyone having an easier schedule’

Good for you @Despair1. But happily for me I don't just have to 'survive' - I have options.

And popping to the shops maybe?

I rest my case. 🙄

Ues the OP can indeed ‘survive’. But why, if she can be more comfortable and productive at home? Just because you had to?

"You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities."

Menopause affects people differently. Our workplace is doing a lot of work to recognise and raise awareness that for many people, menopause is absolutely a disability.

I'm referring to millions of others; teachers, factory workers, healthcare staff etc etc. Just get on and do the jobs they are paid to do

@Hiphopopotamonster Yup! Predictable!

Is menopause a protected characteristic?? I never knew that!