Cold at work is this right?

GAVIN E

For non-physical work, the minimum working temperature in a place of work should be at least 16degress Centigrade.

If the temperature is below this then you have the right to refuse to work on Health and Safety grounds.

Be sure that if you have any union reps or any sort of union backing before refusing point blank to work.

If the employer threatens to sack you because of your refusal to work, then providing that you have been with the company for 12months, you could take the case to an Industrial Tribunal.

As to measuring the room temperature, then I would say it would be up to the management to prove that it was above the legal working temp, rather than you trying to prove it below.

quatrapiller

I don't think there is such a thing, at least not in the States.

sarell

There is a proper tempeture gague limit both on the high side and the low side either side of this and the staff get to go home.

she must take a tempeture gaue into work and also phone up the Dept of Works and Pensions to find out the legal side of things they will point you in the right direction as in who to speak to.

Good luck I am not sure if the conditions meet up with the legal tempeture if when the staff go home they will get paid for it. Find out when you speak to D of W&P

it is a health issue. The employer should be reported

steph

ikes not sure in England.. but here it needs to be working conditions. Tell her.. to overexagerate her clothing.. so that her employer gets the hint!

Best of British

Not sure... As work outside all year round regardless how cold it is.

polly

Check this website out, it should help you!
http://www.worksmart.org.uk/health/viewquestion.php?eny=608

vdv_desantnik

if she did most of her work sitting down there is a minimum temperature, but if not, then no. If in doubt contact the local HSE office and they can turn up and do a surprise inspection

Ryan F

I have never heard of such a law... but then you Brits are alot more Gustapo-esque on that sorta thing than we are...

~BadBoy~

she shouldnt be workin,thts all in know! in cold weather! !!!!!!!

Julia

YES IT'S ILLEGAL. TELL HER TO GO HOME. I'M NOT SURE BUT THE TEMP IS SUPPOSE TO BE AT LEAST 67

chris_mcgibbon2000

I really wish i could answer this properly. Can she try complaining about the working environment to the boss or supervisor?

I have an apprenticeship at a garage with 3 large bay doors. It gets absolutly freezing cold with the strong winds passing through too, we're supplied with clothing. Maybe she can complain or just wear more clothing?

Sorry i couldn't answer it properly.

pinupgirl1948

I would call the health department and ask,..I think they would have to get it fixed.When our apartment heat went out and the landlord wouldn't fix it,..we called the health department and the land lord was given a certain amount of time to fix it...

yolaba

yes they're is a law saying that the temp. should be around
70f or 20c. Bring a small thermometer and check the temp. and if it's too cold note the date and time and complaint first to the manager,then the owner,then if all fails go to a work center or check for gov.healt agency where you live. Good luck.

Southern Comfort

yes there should be in the states a property owner is fined $200 per day if his rental property does not have heat for over 24 hours this is in Minnesota

jane c

get a themotor it should be 72%

katobow

Is there a health deparment which can be called there about this? They should know the laws. She probably needs the money so until then tell her the best way to dress is in many thin layers and wear a cotton ski cap or something like that as body heat escapes from the head more than anywhere.

byebye

theres a minimum temp,unsure what it is,but no max temp

rich_wickham

as a base it should be about 60 deg but it is OK to be colder if you have a place to get warm that is 60 deg i work in a cold workshop but we have a room kept warm and this is the min requirement

buggerhead

In the UK your friend would have to check. She can take the room temperature with a standard thermometer. Its a good idea to keep a daily record so there is a pattern to see. Also, as with landlords, there is a certain level of "livability" that has to be maintained. If your friend were to get sick, and it was able to be linked to the cold working conditions, her boss (being in control of the resolution, but not following through and fixing the heating, could have to pay for any and all med bills.

In the US:
The U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for the safety and health of American workers. The agency sets and enforces occupational safety and health standards and provides training and education for continual improvement in workplace safety and health. Under the OSHA's rules and regulations, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees.

yuvid6

Is it legal? Yes. Is it ethical, No. Your friend should put on her walking shoes and find a new job. The boss may have turned off the heat so he could save money and is lying about it. His office may be heated, check that out.

news hound

I stand to be corrected but, as I am informed, there is a regulation that a work place .has to be at a certain temperature,check with your local health and safety office they will advise you, also your employer has a legal duty of care to you, in his/.her employ.

paullucky

its not supposed to be cold at work; if it is, things need to be looked at over there

DARREN A

Yes.If you work indoors then there is a legal requirement for the temperature to be kept above a certain level.Obviously she would need a thermometer to measure the temperature.

Here's the link the the Health and Safety website
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm

bring in a digital memory thermitor... take a camera phone picture of it.. but depending on your country's labor laws seek that first then show proof..

LJN1974

yes there is a legal limit - i think for shops & offices it is 16 degrees centrigade

plenty of room thermometers available - how big is your budget...? more you spend, more accurate it will be

vinny

You measure room temp with a THERMOMETER.

Here in the States it depends where you live if your employer has to keep you comfortable.
Generally, Blue States are good.
Red States don't give a S**T

frustration

16 degrees centigrade is the minimum temperature in shops and offices. Lower than that and you can walk out. You should have a health and safety notice displayed somewhere in your work area by law. You should be able to access the information. If you can't negotiate a reasonable compromise with your employer contact your local Health and Safety office.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/temperature.htm

daftjock2

Yep there is , read this. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/HealthAndSafetyAtWork/DG_4016686

Stuart-c

The law in britain is as follows : 13 -16 degrees is the lowest temperature allowed in a office working enviroment, however a shop is not classed as an office enviroment which means you should be issued with PPE for example a fleece jacket or thermals. If you have not recieved these then put it in writing to your boss that the working conditions are to cold ( this is so you have evidence that you have notified senior staff ) also take a thermometer and record the reading. Now if the senior member of staff does not act upon this then you are entitled by law to leave your work premises with full pay, however this is where the grey area comes into play because if you have been issued a work uniform that includes a coat or a fleece then that can be deemed as PPE even though you have never used it for that purpose before, also your boss is entitled to allow you access to a hot drink every half an hour then that also effects the level of temperature you can work in . You can contact the HSE and they will send out a member of staff to investigate which may take days or weeks by which time the heating may be fixed, your problem being is that this is an extreme case and not an everyday occurance so it will be difficult to prove negligence by the employer. My advice would be to wear a hat or scarf and gloves something that is visible to the employer but can be worn in the shop and will be an eyesore to customers. That will usually work with the employers as they should be customer focused. Hope that helps. Bryan F comment on the british being more regimented than the states is completely untrue let us not forget that american culture will sue you for breaking a nail let alone a temperature issue :)

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