‘The moment the show is over, everyone strips off’
I work with a travelling circus, and this heat is no fun – the tent has exceeded 36C. Even simple tasks can be draining, and harder physical work ends in a puddle of sweat. The horses are a huge priority; they’re fed and watered in the cool of the early morning, and have access to shade when they’re not grazing. The people, on the other hand, have to sort their own cooling solutions.
Circus performing is extremely physical, and to do a routine during a heatwave takes enormous reserves of energy. So the moment the show is over, everyone strips off and dives into the portable pool outside the back tent.
Gervase Webb, circus handyman, Oxfordshire
‘The judges have a fan, but the rest of us have to melt’
It’s hard to think when you’re boiling. There’s been no air conditioning in half of the courts I’ve been in this week as a barrister. The judges always have a fan, but the rest of us just have to melt. I have been allowed to remove my suit jacket but I’ve seen the criminal lawyers in their full gear this week. No let out for them ... all we need is a bit of air con.
Anonymous barrister, London
‘I work in my pants’
I’m lucky enough to work from home, so this season I’ll mostly be wearing my pants and a very loose shirt ... and nothing else. I can work my hours reasonably flexibly, and I could always try sitting in the fridge in my coffee breaks.
Louisa, regional worker for an education charity, Warwickshire
‘We have a snow day policy, so why not a heatwave policy?’
My classroom has topped 30C during the day, as have my colleagues’ rooms. We have two air conditioning units at each end of the corridor, but the effect stops after a few metres and it doesn’t allow air to circulate inside the classrooms. I’m dripping with sweat ... so I pity the poor kids.
In a school, strappy dresses and open-toed shoes are not acceptable. Men still have to wear long trousers unless they are PE teachers. Trying to think and concentrate in these temperatures is really difficult, especially for the kids, even if they don’t have to wear ties and blazers. I appreciate that heatwaves are reasonably rare, but we have snow day policies so let’s have a heatwave policy.
Anonymous teacher, Chesham
‘Our managing director brings in ice-cream’
We’ve got one naff old fan that’s halfway across the office so I can’t feel it, and the building is so old that a cooling system has never been installed – apart from in the boardroom, annoyingly. We’re allowed to wear what we want within reason, but there should be legislation in place to have cooling systems installed. To make up for it, our managing director personally brings in ice-creams – so it’s not all bad.
Anonymous accounts admin, Doncaster
‘We need a better clothing policy’
Wearing a suit feels awful while travelling – I feel inhuman as I sweat and feel faint among the crowds on the tube. We don’t get heatwaves often but when temperatures get to a certain point I’d like to see a lighter clothing policy kick in. I’m forced to wear a suit, no low-cut or sleeveless tops, stockings and closed shoes at all times as I work with top-level leaders in the company.
Anonymous communications manager, London
‘We fill gloves with ice’
As an occupational therapist working for the NHS, a lot of our work is very physical. The wards are boiling and the heavy uniforms don’t help, neither do the additional protective gloves and gowns we sometimes wear. When it gets really bad we fill gloves with ice and put them in our pockets or down the back of a tunic. Most of the day we are drenched in sweat – which is not nice for us or the patients.
Sophie Cooper, occupational therapist
‘Nothing beats standing under the jet wash’
I work in the offices of a small ceramic tile manufacturing company. I spend time in both the offices and the factory, which has two kilns that reach 1,050C, so I get really annoyed by people saying it’s too hot to work – try working in 45C heat. But my company provides cold drinks all day, ice lollies in the afternoon and frequent breaks. We are all supplied with fans as well – but nothing beats standing under the jet wash and letting the fine mist cool you down.
Jane, office admin, Stoke-On-Trent
‘There should be guidelines to deal with extreme heat’
Our office gets the sun for most of the day, so we’re absolutely sweltering. A tiny desk fan between two people is not ideal. There should be guidelines; employers need to know exactly what they must to do improve the workplace for staff. Having hot and flustered employees decreases productivity, and the resentment at employers for not having measures in place exacerbates that. I think all offices should at least be required to have a thermometer installed, so staff can see exactly what environment they’re working in. Air-conditioning should be installed, too.
Anonymous university employee, Sheffield
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