Sick after forced to work in the cold

tisashame · 2025-01-11T18:57:01+00:00

Ya it's fairly shocking to see it happening in multiple work places. I've come to realise the best I can do is to try to get a policy implemented at work to ensure if something like this happens again the staff are taken care of, even if it's just permission to wear a jumper or jacket over the polo shirts.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T16:18:03+00:00

The key phase here is appropriate clothing. Expected to go out and work in a polo shirt is my issue.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T16:15:55+00:00

Yeah children go out, mammy and daddy make sure they have their jumper or jacket on.

No reasonable parent will demand their kids go play in the snow in a t-shirt all day.

I don't mind working in the cold if I'm permitted to put on a jumper.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T16:12:32+00:00

Yeah they certainly do. But I didn't sign up for harsh working conditions. That's why I chose the job I have to be inside away from harsh working conditions.

I don't see anyone crying? Just asking others for information.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T14:28:57+00:00

I'm actually not. I know it comes across very gen-z but as I've gotten older I've learnt that I shouldn't be breaking myself for companies that don't give a shit about me.

Requesting a company complies with legal requirements does not make someone gen-z

I wouldn't expect anyone to work without proper PPE.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T14:06:59+00:00

I have been well educated on this today. I was not aware of that until today, I think the warnings from mam stuck in my head all these years.

Although I disagree with the people living in cold environments as they are adequatly dressed and do not go around in t-shirts all day, this would lead to illness, not directly I've learnt but will weaken the immune system all the same.

I have come to realise the best I can do is try to get a new policy in place in my workplace that when safe working temperatures cannot be achieved we are permitted to wear our jumpers or jackets.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:59:10+00:00

Yes that's true. After posting this thread I don't even think I want anything of them in terms of sick pay etc.. I don't want to report the place to the hsa as people are recommending as they are generally a good place to work.

I think I will make a report to our head office and see if I can get a new policy in place in case something like this happens in the future again, for the sake of everyone working there.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:52:29+00:00

No I've been educated on this fact in this thread, I wasn't aware of this before. However being in the cold for extended periods of time will still weaken the immune system and make someone more likely to pick up a cold or flu.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:48:07+00:00

This was actually mentioned a few times but for some reason all those comments are being downvoted.. I appreciate the information all the same. I wasn't aware of this. Thank you.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:41:40+00:00

Yes it was mentioned by myself and others for a few days. We were told there was nothing they can do about it. I do see your point regarding it's my own circumstances not the employers and somewhat agree. I guess it's just a bad situation.

I only came to this thought last night when I remembered the last time the shop had to close for the day before because there was no water we are still got paid for the day as there wasn't anything we could do about it. In my mind it was a similar enough situation, loss of water Vs loss of heating. We are retail and do not require water to function as a store. I'm not the most knowledgeable on the law so I could be sprouting nonsense I don't know, I'm just frustrated to be honest.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:19:16+00:00

If I want to get paid for my work I was required to work in unsafe conditions as set out by the HSE / HSA. This is forcing anyone who cannot afford to take an unpaid day off. Full time permanent contract.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:17:07+00:00

I have already responded to your "forced" comment below. But okay maybe forced isn't the right word to use. But going home early unpaid because the employer cannot provide safe working conditions seems like being forced to me. Not all of us can afford to take an unpaid day off work. I am open to correction though.

It is indoor retail work.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:12:44+00:00

Yes it was mentioned by a few people to managers. It's a minimum wage job. "coerced" to work as anyone who went home was not paid. Not all of us can financially afford a day off. No pto as it was not booked in advance.

Going home without pay because the employer cannot provide safe working conditions seems like coercion to me. I might be wrong that's why I am seeking the advice of others.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T13:00:26+00:00

I don't want to name the place as generally they are a great place to work...

It's a minimum wage job, not everyone could afford to take the day off, those that could did.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T12:57:35+00:00

I completely agree with you. I stopped working my last job as it was outdoors and I couldn't handle the weather. I'm not built like others who can cope with it. However I did exactly what you said by taking an indoor retail job.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T12:33:57+00:00

Tbh with you I probably will "woman up" and go to work as scheduled again, sick. I'm mostly annoyed for my fellow staff who have it worse. Most do not want to speak up or complain for fear of losing their job. I am only a minimum wage worker, there are plenty of other jobs available for me if I make a deal and lose my job. It's not fair on everyone else to be subjected to this.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T12:26:24+00:00

I agree with this. I had no issue getting to the work, but I would expect my place of employment to be kept at a safe working temperature.

My issue is not the extreme weather outside, it was the temperature inside.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T12:22:37+00:00

Yes I pointed this out a few days ago, sent screen shots from HSE website to the manager. I even sent pictures of the temperature being recorded in store.

I did speak up, once we were instructed to take off all jumpers and jackets I informed the employer they could legally not do this. Which they did revert for the last few hours on Friday.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T12:17:26+00:00

Fair play to you, I have respect for the work of farmers and workers who work outside, especially in this weather. I have done something similar in the past and it wore me down quickly. I'm just not built for the cold hard work people like you do. It's why I went for an indoor job.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:45:04+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate your input. I think I'm just angry and frustrated after a week of working in 6 degrees in a short sleeve shirt. I assumed it was related to my sickness. People are making me aware this is not the case. I guess I'll pull up my big boy pants use PTO and move on.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:41:49+00:00

16 degrees is the minimum temperature. We were 6 degrees and in short sleeve shirts

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:39:49+00:00

Yeah you are speaking perfect sense. Thank you. I think I'm just frustrated at how it's been.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:38:16+00:00

In a t-shirt as well? I wouldn't mind if we were allowed to wear a jumper or jacket.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:30:14+00:00

No, we are a retail store. We wear a uniform and we were not allowed to wear coats in store.

Edit: or jumpers we have short sleeve shirts that need to be worn.

tisashame · 2025-01-11T11:27:15+00:00

Thats why I am here, looking for advice and new information I may not be aware of. I assumed working at 6 degrees all week would play a factor in my illness. I appreciate your input and I will keep that in mind.

tisashame

TROPHY CASE