Low temperature at work

[Toocoldatwork]

Hello everyone ☺️.

I work in retail, our store is fucking cold. It’s 7/8 degrees in the back warehouse and 4 degrees on the shop floor (the area I personally work in). We are currently wearing gloves and double layers but I am starting to feel ill and getting headaches

it’s cold everywhere but I am working 40 hours in the coldest part. Manager knows it’s cold nothing is being done, though not sure if this is on her part or the company.

I want to go over her head to the union, but I know this will cause some friction which I don’t want as she is lovely but the staff are finding it difficult . So basically does anyone else think these temps are too cold? Or am I just a wuss and should I just suck it up and wear thermals or take this further?

any advice appreciated!

The shop where customers go in is 4 degrees?! How do you have any customers at all!!
I would 100% complain. That's far too cold to work in.
I'm trying to think where on earth would be that cold in a shop! A garden centre maybe?!
I'd wear thermals, gloves and a hat. As well as complain to management. A lot.

Thanks for your reply. Not a garden centre. Customers do complain unfortunately there’s nothing I can do. We’ve been wearing gloves but it’s not ideal. I brought my own thermometer today and it said 4 degrees in one part. I have taken a photo as proof. It is a little warmer as you get further into the shop but not much. It is Cold everywhere.

HSE website says legal min temperature for a workplace where people are physically active is 13 degrees 

I work in exactly those temperatures in a big rural shop. It’s awful, and I won’t be staying much longer. The owners don’t give a shit, the managers don’t give a shit and we all get sick and stay sick for longer. And the customers hate it. I’m also in a union and dithering!

Sorry you have crap bosses too!

There is no legal minimum temperature, only suggestions, ours was 6 degrees when I was in last week. I dread to think what it is currently, not back in until Friday.

I believe that they should provide you with suitable clothing if you work in a cold environment.
DH works in a cold chain warehouse. They are provided with heavy duty safety shoes, fleeces and gloves.

What?! This is absolutely awful.
I've got Reynauds if I was working there my feet and bottom of my legs would be numb after hardly and time and I'd literally be in pain all day!
That temperature is unsustainable! You need to keep bringing it up (with the other workers so you're not by yourself) and say customers say it's too cold too. I hope someone else can give better advice