To be worried about going in the office in this heat already?

[Chocolateapot]

I work in an NHS building on the second floor with no aircon. There are windows but these only open a fraction and don't let much air in. When it is hot it gets so unbearable I end up feeling genuinely unwell with a headache. A few years ago apparently someone fainted the office got so hot. AIBU for already worrying about next week in this heatwave?

I worked in a HDU over Covid in full PPE. The issue is more than I need to remain cool and look presentable- I can't just be a sweaty mess like I was then.

As PP said take a fan and keep a thermal of cold water near you. It's all you can do.

Given its patient facing - I am surprised there won’t be fans set up at least

I'm not allowed my fan that I took in as they won't PAT test it... theres 2 fans for the whole office (of approx 40 people).

No fans in our clinical rooms. I'll be surprised if people come to their appointments.

Next fan is personal and rechargeable, sorted

Have just this morning got mine out to charge ready for next week. It's ace!

I'll also half-fill and freeze my water bottle on a slant, so I can top it up before leaving and get ice cold water. Just common sense stuff when you are commuting or in stuffy offices.

All this angst for a few days!

We are a nation of wimps. I don't like the heat either. But I don't think it's going to be that hot. Just take in a fan. But they're probably sold out with all the scaremongering about heatwaves.

Argue it to management that fans should be provided for the patient safety. Put it in writing.

You will have them over a barrel!

They are not sold out. Plenty on Amazon and in shops near me.

You think people will not turn up for the appointments because of the weather?

This country..,. Honestly, this is embarrassing

The NHS don't out out heatwave alerts because 'it's a bit hot'. They do it because it's extremely hot for this country and people can become unwell, act differently and people die.

It puts pressure on workplaces, NHS services, the Police, and people die.

That's the reality.

Speak to whoever is in charge of the office they maybe able to order some fans, if not I’d get a desk fan

Inknow people say get over it but it can b unbearable. Luckily no ones life is on the line in my care but I feel for NHS staff. I will be in the laundry rooms for holiday let's. The boss will be at the beach. It really sucks but I will get paid double time.

Have ordered an ice ring thing for neck, personal fan etc

Fans need to be pat tested and can be an infection risk so are not always recommended, portable coolers or air-conditioning is preferred. Keep blinds and curtains closed, open windows if there's any air, plenty of extra drinks and ice chips for staff and patients. Staff can request to wear scrubs.

So? Pat testing takes nano seconds!

Take a fan. And another thing colleagues and I did, during an extremely hot spell, was to spray each other with a very fine spray of water - using one of those bottles used for spraying plants. Very effective!

FFS

Ffs get a grip, it only happens a few weeks a year just take a fan. God it’s the same when there’s a tiny covering of snow on the ground and people don’t know how to cope.

Third floor office in Cyprus, MOD building so no air con, or lift. Whole wall was single skin glass.

A hefty fan, cold water and appropriate clothing made it bearable even at 42°.

Was it nice? No. Did people cope? Yes.

A tad over dramatic methinks. Bring a portable fan in, or request one to be provided

Not sure why everyone is being so negative. I work in an NHS building, also on a second floor with no air con and windows that barely open. Maybe we work at the same place haha. Anyway, it’s horrendous and I understand your pain. Last year I was pregnant and was so uncomfortable and they did nothing to make me feel more comfortable so no, you are not being unreasonable. Depending on what your job is, could you work from home for a day or two? If not, do as others have suggested and get a handheld fan and drink plenty of water. I completely feel your pain!

they were saying on the radio the other day that schools and workplaces should have air con.
I would love that in my school as it gets unbearable in there - my poor SEN class become so dysregulated and upset.

Take a mini handheld electric fan. I did this when I was giving birth in hospital as some of the wards are so hot

Its not over dramatic. Its a few days a year but it can make people so sick.