Working in the Heatwave

GreenTreen123

It!!!8217;s not that hot.... which sounds awfully invalidating but it!!!8217;s a temp the body can cope with. It will be uncomfortable and is there anything your boss or you can do?

I was thinking that perhaps the windows need to have a cover put on them to keep out the sun?

To keep cool wear light fitting clothes and shorts etc if possible. A woman I knew would wear her winter coat year round! Crazy.

I think your complainants sounds like dehydration. Can you drink some dehydration drink to get the salts and sugars back in your system. Make sure you are drinking enough water daily. Two liters over the course of the day.

GreenTreen123

Buy a fan, I know it!!!8217;s horrible using your own money but you have it for life.

As others said the frozen water can help, a damp cold wash cloth put on the back of your neck will help with cooling you do. Put it over your face as well.

At night put a top sheet in for a short wash and it will come out slightly damp. Really good to keep you cool.

TELLIT01

GreenTreen123 wrote: »

It's not that hot....

Have you ever had to sit at a window with no blinds and the sun blasting in? It can quickly become unbearable. I'd be inclined to put in writing to management that the current working conditions are having a detrimental effect on health. That might spark them into some kind of action.

[Deleted User]

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Have you ever had to sit at a window with no blinds and the sun blasting in? It can quickly become unbearable. I'd be inclined to put in writing to management that the current working conditions are having a detrimental effect on health. That might spark them into some kind of action.

I agree, I volunteer in CAB in a listed building. Big windows but no openings. It's beeen hotter in there than outside, I bought a thermometer, and I've been suffering but the paid staff who are there daily 9-5 are physically ill. I'm only there a few days and at least I can linger outside or go home as a volunteer.
I've encouraged them to take it up with management and I will if they don't.

LadyDee

Have you asked your boss to provide a fan?

Ja7188

If there's a dress code, ask for it to be officially relaxed to allow shorts and t-shirts until the heat eases.

Is the office so crowded that it's essential for you to sit by the window? Might be worth hot-desking elsewhere for a few days...

welshbookworm

I worked in a shop where the till was by the window. in the last heat wave I bought a little thermometer and found out I was working in 42 degrees C.
It was only when I passed out that something was done and a shade was put up!!!
But if you work with computers pointing out that some equipment will break down in extreme heat can sometimes cause a rethink of policies.

another_casualty

This thread brings up a lot of anger and resentment for me with my previous employers. Working in the square mile in the city of London as a Postroom clerk I had to wear a suit . Ludicrous considering I was not facing clients and was doing lots of manual stuff transporting boxes to and from a busy loading bay using the goods lift which was shared by other companies in the building .
The “office” I was working in had no windows. It was a converted cupboard . Yes , really . There was a franking machine , one pc, a dry riser cupboard behind where I sat meaning various maintenance people would walk in at any time , an old “desk “ with no proper legroom, halogen bulbs and strip lights .There was one air vent on the ceiling which my colleague ( who had the lions share of the box we worked in) complained about the air blowing ontop of him. Eventually , 8 years later I got a fan for my side of the room behind me, much to my colleagues dismay.
My colleague ( a narcissistic pos ) always complained . I got on well with the maintenance man of the building and managed to get him to ignore my colleagues complaints .

Things were coming to a head on the last summer I was there . I asked for 2 days holiday ( the calendar was vacant and I was always accommodating towards my colleagues needs) and I was refused
It was 32 degrees c . So I went in with a plain t shirt instead of a collar and tie . I got looks and comments but didn’t care. I had enough. If I had permission for the holiday ( wasted really), I wouldn’t have had to go to such measures. My boss( who was personnel ) asked me if I was going to revert back to the proper uniform tomorrow.( Two days was enough) . I agreed and that’s how I got the fan.

I feel sorry for the o p . At the end of the day , employers don’t care.If you are making money for the company , then that’s different
Plus the women could wear what they want . For some reason, they seem colder than men . Staying in an environment like that is seriously bad for anyone’s health.
I can’t offer any help unfortunately , but believe it or not there are a lot of places like this . Hope something works out for you .

Gavin83

I haven't experienced it myself but I had to go and support another office for 2 weeks once and their office had no windows. It was horribly oppressive. They were based in the heart of a big hospital so you had to walk for 5 mins before you could even see sunlight. It didn't help that it was December either so I'd arrive in the dark and leave in the dark, started to feel like a vampire. Genuinely couldn't understand how they coped, I'd have quit in their position.

Katapolt

Thanks everyone for your tips.
My boss is never actually in, and a nightmare to get hold of so ill buy a cheapo desk fan, and if they have an issue they can replace it or get it PAT tested for me.

The office is really small, but theres only 5 desks, 1 vacant, and its right behind me also next to the window haha.

I've bought in water bottle that i had kept in the freezer and its made the world of good! I really appreciate you all actually being really kind and understanding to my totally petty whine!!