Can I refuse to work in this cold?

Charityworker

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Do they do cold weather payments for buisnesses? lol.

It's not a business, it's a charity not out to make profit.

Googlewhacker

I'm surprised that you are not warm enough with three heaters blowing at you.

You need to speak to the charity about getting the temperature up

Sambucus_Nigra

Charityworker wrote: »

They agreed with me that it was cold!

I was wondering if anyone had any tips to keep warm in such a cold temperature when most of your job involves sitting still for 4 hours solid.

Bubble wrap in between 2 pairs of socks. I once tried foil - don't do it, you just end up with a sock full of glitter.

Gloves that leave your fingers free to move but go halfway up to your elbows.

Thermal vests, layers.

Going outside once an hour for 2 minutes, makes the inside seem much warmer.

Do you really have to sit still for 4 hours, surely that's bad for you anyway? You need to be able to move about every [say] 30 mins, to get a cup of something, go to the loo etc?

One thing I learnt was to put your shoulders back, and breathe slowly; can stop you shivering and stop your kidneys from feeling the cold.

blossomhill_2

Charityworker wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone had any tips to keep warm in such a cold temperature when most of your job involves sitting still for 4 hours solid.

Yes, a good one for office work is to put your feet in a cardbaord box, about the size of a copier paper box - works a treat!

SarEl

Charityworker wrote: »

Thank you. I'm not about to invite a h & s inspector in as this charity has been my baby for a long time.

I wasn't actually suggesting that you did! I was pointing out to the hardy souls who think that 10 degrees isn't cold that within the legal framework it is cold.

That said, and I am still not suggesting that you call an inspector, may I point out that the fact that this is a charity is of no relevance whatsoever. For these puposes they are an employer, they have chosen to be an employer, and they therefore have legal obligations. It is not your baby - it is your employment. I do a lot of work with charities and voluntary organisations, and I commend the work that is done by trustees, directors, volunteers and paid staff, and the huge commitment that they put into their work. But that is not a valid reason for being a poor employer. The principles which they take into their work for clients should equally be carried into their responsibilities as employers - they should be the best and the most meticulous of employers, precisiely because their concern is about the welfare and rights of others; not the worst because you should be grateful to have such a valuable job and besides we need to cut corners to spend the money on the most important things. Looking after your employees shouldn't be an either/or.

National associations have spent decades working to dispel the image that the voluntary sector is second rate - to build up the skills base of voluntary organisations to ensure that they provide both good quality services and act as fair and reasonable employers. Your employers are doing you, their organisation, their clients and their funders no service if they cannot come up with a better solution that "yes, it's cold". To coin the phrase - "voluntary does not mean amateur".

Mrs_Arcanum

One consideration is the exorbitant cost of trying to heat your office may be ridiculously high compared to actually doing something about keeping the heat in. May be a way of getting something done sooner rather than later. Meanwhile fingers crossed the unseasonal high temperatures continue.

One way to stay warmer is to keep your feet off the floor by using a footrest or similar and wear one of those giant single slippers.

Oldernotwiser

Have you considered a different kind of supplementary heating. Mobile calor gas heaters really chuck the heat out and are far more efficient than fan heaters.

As an aside, have you or your employer considered the cost of running 3 electric heaters for many hours a week?

TrickyWicky

Subject of this thread: Can I refuse to work in this cold?

Charityworker wrote: »

I would like to clarify that at no point have I asked for a day off or wished to have a day off.

Are you serious?

03022242

doesnt the Health and safety at work act say something like it has to be a minimum of 13 degrees when you walk in and at least 16 degrees one hour later?

pink_princess

Can you not stop the draughts? Put up lined curtains, get some insulating tape etc? There are lot's of great cheap ideas on how to do this in the preparing for winter thread.