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.

@Despair1 cool! Good for them also. I had the foresight to choose a flexible career option. But just because teachers or those who work in Tesco can't WFH then it seems I shouldn't be able to. Ok then 🙄

Of course! Don't forget school run, taking Fido for a walk, take in a few parcels.

YABU Back in the real world people work in uncomfortable working environments 9-5 5/6/7 days a week - chefs even longer! It's far from ideal but it's only 2 days you have to to go to work so I'd just grin and bear it knowing the other 5 days of the week I could chill at home.

And I repeat. I. Am. Still. Doing. My. Job. Just in a different place.

That clear enough for you?

what @Mamadont said. It's 2 days out of your week. I'm sure you'd rather be at home pegging out washing today etc as it's a nice drying day but people have been spoilt since Covid and need to get back to work now!

Yes, just with the benefit of being able to peg out your washing and have a snooze and feed the cat.

OP I'm glad you got it sorted but some of you need to have a word with yourselves!

OP would like not to be ill in work because they haven't fixed the AC and have locked the windows. She is also menopausal which under the Equality Act 2010, an employer will be under a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments and to not discriminate against the worker.

I hope to god those of you saying she needs to go in aren't people managers.

And for those saying take a fan in, is she supposed to carry it about with her when she's not at her desk 🙄

Some of you just don't have an empathetic bone in your body.

BS.
If everyone quiet quit their job on the grounds
of "comfort", where would this country be?
Oh, wait...
Btw, I'm Czech.

We have two offices, one with and one without aircon. The one without we can at least open windows although it often gets to 30 degrees inside after a few days of hot weather. Having the windows open helps it feel less like an oven even if the temp doesn’t lower.

I worked in an office with life expired hvac and the aircon failed one summer. We were allowed to open the windows, even though it was hideously loud and smelly, as 30 with no airflow is even worse. This was before WFH times.

So you are definitely not being unreasonable if it’s hot, you are struggling due to menopause, and they won’t let you open windows! Good luck OP

By that I assume you mean back to the office as people still work at home. If they don't they get sacked. So why do people need to get back to work (the office)?

Do you work?

And for those suggesting fans all of our fuses blow if you plug one in to a desk top electric point (same for hoovers) so if your plugs stop working that’s why!

There are laws in the country I live in for min & max temps in schools, work places etc
See what yours are, Take in a thermometer & then show your boss

Dick by name, dick by nature 😂

So many assumptions here that people who WFH do fuck all. We are still measured on output and results. Do I hang out the washing? Yes. Before 9am. Do I walk the dog? Yes. In my lunch hour.

Jealousy is a very unattractive trait.

I don't know really. We have no air con in the office and it's horribly hot. We are allowed to wear 'relaxed' dress code. Which means short sleeves and no jackets etc.

Several of us are menopausal but we just get on with it although we moan a lot 😁

To be honest my house is boiling so it wouldn't really help to wfh

We had the same issue and came to an arrangement - the windows were opened and the desks moved to block them (as they were too low when open otherwise). This was for several weeks one hot summer when ours failed. You could suggest this if it’s possible.

Well don't just moan about it, do something about it.

Regarding menopause:

Under the Equality Act 2010, an employer will be under a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments and to not discriminate against the worker

Theres no doubt that WFH is a massive pisstake!! OP is too hot in the office but taking the dog for a midday walk in peak heat is OK?!

Yes, I am menopausal big time, and went to do physical job. Felt like walking on a boat, this is hospitality also. It is hot ! Did not say a word to anyone. Asked my husband to pray for me. He did. I ticked another successful day on the paycheck

Thank you. The world would be on it's head if we all had the foresight to choose a career with such flexibility. If you ever needed hospital treatment at any time, there are staff in hospitals providing 24/7 care, irrespective of temperature and availability of aircon or otherwise. That's how the world works. Take care

So much wrong with this, reminds me of those people who parented in the 70s and 80s who have issues with car seats and parent and child spaces in supermarkets who say they survived without these. Well now w know better and do better.

Why should OP have to suffer when there is a reasonable adjustment available which will certainly enable her to be more productive without detriment to her health

You ok love? You seem really angry about someone doing their job just as productively in a way that’s slightly more comfortable for them…

I worked in a horrid workplace which didn't have a proper heat control, in the really hot summers I used to take a sickie if the temp was over 30. I'm not working that heat, it used to make me ill and even unsafe to drive home.
The boss didn't go in on those days either!

No on all counts, I wouldn’t dream of going to the shops or leaving the house when WFH

i tend to start earlier and finish later on my wfh days as no commute.

You have a right to WFH due to your symptoms - I am not going in this week my one day as it is too hot and I suffer with heat migraines and they are fine with this.