To think that “professional” standards shouldn’t apply during periods of extreme weather?

[toohotforallthis]

I live in an area that has a red weather warning for extreme heat for the next two days.

Today the office was sweltering. It’s been 35° minimum all day, but in the office it’s been closer to 40°. We’ve all been unable to function.

We had a “friendly reminder” that the dress code still applies - dresses to mid calf, no shorts, shirts must cover to the mid arm.

AIBU to say fuck it and turn up in a T-shirt and shorts tomorrow? We have no client contact whatsoever, I will not see a single service user tomorrow. The only people I will see are my coworkers.

My line manager has said she’s fine with it, but if the “big bosses” walk in (from their air conditioned office!), we may get in trouble.

Surely the worst they’ll do is send me home, which is a win for me 😂

I disagree, you can look smart and professional AND dress for the weather.
Cool clothes don't necessarily have to show lots of skin

Will you really be cooler in T-shirt and shorts than a dress? I doubt it.

Absolutely.

The office is unbearable. I’ve worn a dress today and it’s been horrendous. If I was client facing I’d suck it up, but I literally won’t see anyone other than my coworkers - who are all in the same boat and feeling the same way.

I just don’t think there’s a need to when the office is nearly 40°, we don’t have contact with service users and we’re putting our health at risk to work

Instead of moaning, go off sick if it's genuinely putting your health at risk

I wish but they’d know instantly it’s because of the weather, plus we don’t get unlimited sick days so I need to be careful about taking any

How will wearing shorts above the knee and having your shoulders out stop your health being at risk exactly?
As I said, you can look professonal AND wear cool clothes - its not one or the other

Cooling me down? Instead of sitting in a hot office with damp clothes sitting against my skin, just getting hotter - it’s literally so hot that sweat isn’t drying. The less surface area covered the better. If I was out and about I’d see the point about covering up, but it’s literally like sitting in a sauna.

So wait only some of the office/s have aircon?

How does that work?

We’re in a different building, which is ancient. The managers are in a new, air conditioned building. We’re in an old one that’s mainly windows, and traps heat like nobody’s business

Working in the heat is uncomfortable, certainly, but you’re not putting your health at risk.
Stop the dramatics 🙄
How do you think firemen feel? They do put their health and lives on the line.
Do you think they’re agitating to be allowed to ditch the protective gear and wear shorts?

I don’t think you should be sitting in a 40 degree office. It’s not good for you. Unless you work with very vulnerable people who need care then stay home until the weather changes. What’s the point of suffering, you’re most likely completely replaceable to the employer. Wear what you want or go home, and take the consequences if it’s worth it.

You can roll your eyes but I’ve come out of the office dizzy, feeling sick and lightheaded. Just because others have it worse doesn’t mean someone can be uncomfortable and want to work comfortably

The employer has a duty of care, and although there is not legal upper limit, they have to take reasonable steps to ensure safety. They need to do a proper assessment, which I would ask to see, and need to take reasonable steps to reduce the temperature, eg providing fans/aircon. Relaxing the dress code would be appropriate. But I cannot imagine which industry specifies hem and sleeve lengths? Even when I worked in corporate law, sleeveless shirts and knee length dresses were considered acceptable.
See employers responsibilities Here
If you are feeling ill, then that would suggest that the conditions are not safe. I would certainly be asking them to comply with their legal obligations. What have they done to try to make it more comfortable for staff? I would be inclined to keep pushing them to do their job properly.

We’ve had a couple of old fans brought in and we got given an ice pop each today. I wish I was joking.

Just look professional. A hot weather day doesn't need a drama. Skirt and light top will cover it.

Well yes, it's either bad for your health or it isn't

Yes but when you can be punished for taking “too many” sick days you often have to push yourself to work through an illness.

I don’t want to wear an ankle length skirt (because it’s those or knee length), I want to be cool not feel like I’m boiling alive

Shorts and a strappy vest top, or sports wear are not appropriate for office environment imo. But I do think standards could be relaxed slightly for the temps, flowy summer dress or linen trousers and light cotton t-shirt would be smart enough and perfectly acceptable.

Sure. I don’t think anything will be cooler than a light cotton dress, though.

First post nails it.
A loose fitting dress or top/trousers in cotton or linen will be cooler than anything else and ensure that no-one is subjected to someone else's sweaty bare flesh.
Arms are Ok but if the office policy is covered arms that can also be managed very easily. Think about what people in hot countries wear - mostly long loose and totally covered up.

No one asked you to wear an ankle length skirt though?

It has to be mid calf. So realistically, as a 5 foot 3 woman, that’s ankle length.

If you’re outdoors I totally agree.

But sat indoors, in 40 degree heat, it’s not sustainable