to want to go home from work because the boiler has packed up and it's freezing?

[leoleomakingalist]

For the 2nd week now.
I can't feel my fingers or toes!

Should be at least 16C unless you are involved in heavy work. Wave this in front of your boss.

yes, with lala on this. Refuse to work, and get yourself home.

it's just hit 16c but I wouldn't be able to say anything really anyway - I work along side bosses wife so as she can cope with the coldness we are expected to as well.
It's so cold - I can't think of anything else. I would suffer it if they said when it gets dark we can go home then - because the temp drops again doesn't it?

Can you not drop hints? liiike.. "gosh its sooo cold i can barely think.." and "i think i may lose my toes".. its illegal if they make you work under that temp.. i would be crying.. i hate being cold..

I've sort of done this - I have even said to other lady in office 'I'm so p*ssed off we have to work in this temp. Did you know it is illegal?' And she said exactly what I am thinking - 'I know but who wants it on their head that the business has to close for the day?'
I understand the owner can't really close (it's a little company with 6 employees plus boss) and they're so nice. I'm just annoyed - this place is a Health and Safety nightmare anyway and now this. You'd think they would go some way in making it bearable? Offer a hot lunch or to leave early or something...
(boss and wife off today so they are not even suffering along side us!)
Maybe I shouldn't moan - I only do 2 days at least I'm not full time.
Sorry need to vent otherwise my fingers will freeze up...

2 weeks?! Why on earth is it taking so long to fix?!

You certainly don't have to work in these conditions but I understand why you're reluctant to put your foot down.

I would be inclined to be a bit firmer with your boss though, and say working in those conditions isn't legal from a health and safety point of view, but you are committed and want to help the business stay open and keep coming into work. With that in mind can they confirm when the plumber/maintenance company or whoever is coming to fix it, and can they also provide a couple of fan or plug-in heaters in the meantime.

If it's a small company presumably the office isn't big so a little heater going would do the trick. There's no reason they can't do that, so push them a little bit.

If your employer would provide a hot lunch would make a big difference as that would heat you up well from the inside. I've worked in places where the heating was broken and it's not fun, even if you have a coat and fingerless gloves.

If they don't want to shut the business, they should really hire some heaters in (quite easy to do from HSS or similar).