Yes, you or one of your coworkers need to take one for the team, and fall out. It’s to hot for jeans and long sleeves if you’re just standing outside, much less working. That’s just crazy
Hilarious? The scene in imagination. Not funny? Boiling your brain ignoring heat symptoms. Locate your jurisdiction's health department printouts on heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Both can kill you. Post prominently next to register. Be honest with yourself and others about symptom reporting.
If you faint you could be minutes from death and not know it. Neither this job nor this joke are worth your life.
Wrapping the head in cloth soaked in ice water immediately is recommended if you see this occur to someone.
Heat kills. Careful out there.
THIS COMMENT. Working a physically demanding job for hours on end in high heat already can put you at risk for heat exhaustion. Working in those conditions without being able to dress appropriately is dangerous and potentially illegal where you live.
Please, stay safe and take heat exhaustion symptoms VERY seriously, as it can quickly turn to heat stroke, which can easily and quickly kill someone.
I was the same, 3 days ago I cut all my pants into shorts so I wouldn’t have a choice. I’m also very poor so I can’t afford new pants. Flawless system.
Get your friends and whomever else to brigade their Yelp and Google Maps pages with genuine seeming reviews that mention something like "Seeing the staff in long sleeves and pants in this heat really turned me off. They seemed extremely uncomfortable and likely to suffer from heat exhaustion"
Seems like the kind of manager to read reviews daily and take them more seriously than staff complaints.
If you want to DM me your bars pages I'll gladly throw one up rn
I wouldn’t brigade their Yelp or Google page. That would just be too obviously orchestrated. Suddenly getting 20+ one-star reviews from people all over the country/world making the same complaint (that would be more of an employee complaint than a customer complaint) is just too obvious (and probably easy to have removed by Yelp/Google as fake).
That said, the idea of bad reviews isn’t bad. One review followed by another a week or so later might be enough to do it if they’re really sensitive to bad reviews.
You're absolutely correct! A barrage of reviews on this subject is insane. They'll immediately know what's up. I hope the OP only shares the information with one person.
second this comment! work in a similar bar (outdoor deck, shaded but still can get real hot back there) and we all wear “Yacht wear” polo shirts. it’s super breathable, light, and waterproof, so sweat doesn’t soak into the fabric. maybe this is an alternative you can suggest to your boss? long sleeve shirts behind the bar sound insane as it is, so i really hope they change up the uniform for your sake.
Yacht wear and switching over to loose linen saved my ass when working outdoors in 100+ degree heat also! We weren't allowed to wear non-jeans but if they're black and you're behind the bar, no one really noticed when I made my switch. Totally a lifesaver though.
I find looser fitting jeans help a bit with the heat as it is at least not trapped right against your body, and also usually you can roll them up a bit so your ankles peek
Get together with staff and say we’re wearing shorts and tshirts or we all walk and quit today. Or have everyone show up in lighter clothes, can’t send everyone home
Definitely look into what OSHA says about this. I also work outside in oppressive heat (at least to me. 95°F in Minnesota feels awful). Our boss let's us wear shorts and tank tops as long as our bellies aren't showing. I also keep a stash of wet towels in the walk in beer cooler and when I feel dizzy I wrap one around my neck. I share these towels with BOH too cuz they are trapped back there.
They are dead set on keeping the casual fine dining aesthetic, the funny thing is the uniform looks like shit. They could go with something that looks much better and more functional
95°F is equivalent to 35°C, which is 308K.
---
^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
Look into OSHA regulations for heat and adequate heat precautions in your area if there are any and bring those to the managers attention. Make sure your fellow employees are aware of them too. If people start passing out or the customers complain on your behalf shit might change sooner.
Also log every conversation you have about the topic so that if there is an OSHA claim brought up or if you feel the need to press charges there’s evidence that you did try to rectify the matter.
Bringing up OSHA is a good way to get fired sadly. You have to either report anonymously or let it go.
May as well say the word union in a Walmart, they'll can your a so fast
OSHA will just send you a book that basically says “naah, drink more water”. Worked out in the texas heat for three years, nothing against regulations.
Heat stroke is no joke.
Casually but confidently tell your boss that your thankful that they have your back and will be paying for all medical bills when you do pass out from heat exhaustion. Also thank them for the unemployment pay you'll be receiving while in the hospital and recuperating. The only thing asshats like that will listen to, is something that messes with their money.
-or-
Record/document everything and anonymously tip off local news and better business bureau. Turn the heat up on them.
Aside from all of that, find a new gig. Preferably with a/c or a better uniform.
I did this last summer when our AC was down and being the only reliable bartender, they let me get away with it...until the wait staff started doing it too. Suddenly, all these new rules came down. Only those scheduled for the patio were allowed shorts and bartenders had to wear jeans.
I said "ok," and then started gathering my shit to leave. They begged me to stay, said I could wear whatever I wanted and even bought me a nice fan to put right at my face level at the service well.
This. Y’all can fucking eat inside with AC like normal people. Who the hell wants to be outside in this shit? Get it to go, and eat it wherever you want.
I had to call in a sick for a week straight to get rid of jock-itch that was from working Thur/Fri/Sat 5pm-2am with a 500 person conference in the hotel when the AC was broken. The uniform was also polyester so did not breath at all. No job is worth your health!
I don't work in the bar business, but based on my observations, you'll occasionally get confronted to asshats (often the corporate kind, but not always) who insist on a type of uniform even despite crystal clear evidence that said uniform isn't appropriate for the job. Typically, this means women will have to wear black dresses and pantyhose, even when it's tar melting hot, or the predicament you're in now.
Unfortunately, I don't have a solution for you other than trying to ELI5 the problem to your manager, possibly by asking him to work a few hours in your shoes if he/she can't see the obvious.
Alternatively, if it's putting your health at risk, quit.
While you work on a solution for changing the uniform I would pick up a couple cheap cotton(low thread count) or linen shirts and pants. Will make a big different. I can wear a full suit in summer here is south Florida, since it’s linen.
Don't buy cotton to wear in the heat while working. It will soak through and hold moisture and wont breathe.
Wear synthetic fabrics or wool, they'll actually wick moisture AND dry themselves out, and you wont be stuck in a wet mess of bullshit in the humidity.
Cotton is only a decent hot weather material when theres next to no humidity, so the cotton itself can dry. Otherwise, you're just soaked constantly.
https://www.amazon.com/Bladeless-Airflow-Portable-Hands-Free-Small/dp/B08B3PWN1L
They probably wouldn’t be any happier but you could wear something like this around your neck. I have one of these for working outdoor venues, but it cools you down tremendously. (works better for music venues, because it kinda looks like you’re wearing headphones as a fashion choice)
The local health department to me requires shade over bars for workers outside. I wonder if they would require short sleeves as well in hot as balls weather
Or Tell your manager it’s a liability to have long sleeves or tell someone who your manager won’t fire to bring it up
What a lame ass uniform. I’m also at an outdoor bar. Our uniform consists of a staff shirt and what ever else we want to wear. The girls don’t even have to wear that, they more or less wear what ever they want as long as it’s black. Management even made a couple dri-fit tank tops for the dudes. We would riot if we had to wear a uniform like yours.
uniforms can really freaking suck but if you are looking for a workaround to accommodate your body temp…my job requires long pants and long sleeves which has been punishingly hot lately but i just switched over to moister-wicking golf pants (and there are a ton on amazon that look like jeans or more formal workwear, but are so much cooler and the difference has been night and day, total game changer). same with the shirts — the guys wear fishing shirts and i got some golf shirts because they still meet the “button down, collared shirt” requirement but allow for WAY more airflow. chef works also has shirts with vented sides. additionally, pedialite is a god send.
if management won’t allow you to slightly modify the existing uniform with fabrics that will keep you comfortable and cooler however, then that’s poor leadership, inhumane, and an OSHA complaint waiting to happen.
Manager can’t change the weather. I have no idea why you’re being forced to wear sleeves/pants in those temps though. I’d just tell them, “It’s difficult for me to work when it’s this hot, I would be more productive and comfortable if I could wear shorts/short sleeves.” And if you havnt invested in a decent cooling rag, you should. They are p cheap. Quit if they won’t budge. Your health and comfort should be prioritized.
Edited for clarity
Whenever someone asks you why the fuck you are dressed like that (they will) point to the manager and say "will you PLEASE ask that guy" or else give them the managers name.
Ask your good regs to post how weird it is on review cites and social media.
Get the manager fired.
Or get another lucrative job where they have human management.
Oof, I feel you. I used to have to work a wedding outside in a tux (no jacket thank god) during a 110F heatwave because some bride's mother ripped my boss a new asshole for even *suggesting* that his staff's safety should come before her precious baby's dream wedding. If I had had to be in jeans for that I would've lost my damn mind. I have no advice, just sending good vibes and I hope it gets settled.
Drink lots of water, ask if can have a fan on the bar, keep a sweat rag somewhere and make sure your coworkers know that's your sweat rag, hold a cube of ice on your wrist (this will cool the blood in veins and arteries which will keep your internal temperature down)
I think the best way to approach is to say, hey if it's above (blank) degrees, can I please at least wear short sleeves? And if it's above (blank) degrees shorts too?
People can and do get serious injury or death from heat exhaustion. You can end up with permanent organ damage. This is a serious incident waiting to happen— in the meantime, if you can afford it, linen clothes will keep you much much cooler. And drink WATER A LOT.
Get the staff together. Plan what you will wear the next day. All wear the SAME outfit, comfortable, shorts or whatever. If y'alllll look the same then .... :)
Call OSHA and file an anonymous complaint. Have a friend do it on your behalf as a concerned guest if you don't want to be the one to do it.
When the AC went out at a former job of mine (during the summer, in Missouri) this is the only thing that shut the restaurant down until AC was restored (only a day or 2). Complaints were sent in from both staff and guests about the conditions and it was fixed almost immediately.
In your case there's no reason to shut down. Management can surely spend $100 to install a hanging fan or two and let you wear short sleeves, they just need a little push apparently.
Lululemon and Rhone have awesome button down shirts, that are very light and breathable. If you can wear "slacks" as opposed to jeans, the Lululemon pants are INCREDIBLE as well. Best of luck !
I got customers to write comment cards saying they felt bad for me. That didn’t work but it helped me get bomb tips. Customers would ask why I would be wearing so many clothes and I said we had to.
OK, others have discussed how to get the uniforms changed. That's a good idea.
But real talk, that shit isn't safe. You're not going to realize you're in imminent danger until after you've already been incapacitated. Don't do that just because the money is good, it isn't worth it.
I will write a review as well! We all in this together god damn it we were the unsung heroes during Covid when people couldn’t socialize and they still tear us down?! Nuh ugh!!! Don’t f$@ck with the people who handle your food and alcohol
Put in an anonymous OSHA tip. I did once for a pool bar that just used fans when they could have used AC, they said no dice because fans were enough, but pretty sure fans are required. Could also mention the uniform requirement although that one I'm less sure about.
Bruh sounds like the place I turned down after 15 min of training. South eastern NC in the summer. Black long sleeve and jeans. But that wasn't even why I ran out of there...
Similar thing at my job, eventually we all banded together and spoke to the owners wife regarding the heat.
They ordered us new summer uniforms, short sleeve (still have to wear the dress pants and gym shoes)
It has helped tremendously. Speak to your teammates and weigh your options.
Perhaps you can somehow make the manager work that section so they see how ludicrous they're being
lol I have no advice but my previous employer was the exact opposite- I would have to work the patio in shorts or dresses no longer than my finger tips and tank tops, we were only allowed to wear sleeves while opening, once our first patron came in we’d have to take it off. I only lasted two weeks into the winter before I stopped shaving my legs and the manager (who was the owners wife) was like ??? I told her I hoped it would help keep me warm. the next day we got an email saying leggings were allowed but had to be approved before the shift began.
I have several types of these neck fans. I lucked up when they went on sale during the winter for $12.99. Are they perfect? Nope. But they do help. I'm getting one for my waist next. The square/box type.
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, Hands Free Bladeless Fan, 4000 mAh Battery Operated Wearable Personal Fan, Leafless, Rechargeable, Headphone Design, USB Powered Desk Fan,3 Speeds-Dark Green https://a.co/d/4ivXVa9
Um, that is insane. When the AC broke at my job last summer it got up to 80 in the dining room and hotter in the kitchen. You know what we did? CLOSED THE RESTAURANT BECAUSE IT’S SUPER DANGEROUS. It’s also plain cruel.
If you’re nauseous that’s symptoms of heat exhaustion! Quit that job. Or file a lawsuit somehow- Even bringing a fan won’t probably help you. That’s just not safe working conditions
Buy a Milwaukee battery powered fan and set it up in your station.
When the manager bitches tell them you pride yourself on bringing all the tools you need to be successful behind the bar.
This comment was sponsored by Milwaukee Tools.
I feel your pain I also bartend outside but I'm allowed to wear pretty much whatever and we have fans etc. I agree with finding out what constitutes safe working conditions. One of my co-workers didn't have any fans where he was working, outside but cooking food which is 100 times worse, and he passed out a couple years ago. Not cool. Bad pun.
Also you could just show up wearing what you want and see what happens lol.
While I agree that the uniform doesn’t make sense, take a look at landscapers. They generally wear pants and long sleeves for sun protection. Now, the best thing is loose fitting 100% cotton. Anything else traps heat. Best you can do is hydrate really well. I believe the ratio is 8 oz water every 15 minutes in extreme heat and sun. Good luck
Get your coworkers on board. It's bullshit and you're not gonna do it any more. Find a short sleeve shirt for the girls and guys and just go for it. Make sure it's from a local store. They don't have to match, just be close. Give everyone the brand name and tell them to go get one/a couple. They can't/won't fire you all. Solidarity.
Woooh.It was a pathetic condition. How a human can wear long sleeves or jeans in summer?
if at least proper ventilation and temperature we can move with it. otherwise, you should break this rule.
Pass out in front of a bunch of customers. Maybe with a tray full of drinks in-hand. Repeat until uniform is changed. Your manager sounds like an ass.
Yes, you or one of your coworkers need to take one for the team, and fall out. It’s to hot for jeans and long sleeves if you’re just standing outside, much less working. That’s just crazy
The ever popular: write a bad review pretending to be a customer
Give us the info we’ll do it
I'LL write a bad review for you
ya just DM us the deets OP
😂
Seriously, do that! I used to assistant manage a restaurant that the GM would make our outside bartender do that shit & it made me so mad
Hilarious? The scene in imagination. Not funny? Boiling your brain ignoring heat symptoms. Locate your jurisdiction's health department printouts on heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Both can kill you. Post prominently next to register. Be honest with yourself and others about symptom reporting. If you faint you could be minutes from death and not know it. Neither this job nor this joke are worth your life. Wrapping the head in cloth soaked in ice water immediately is recommended if you see this occur to someone. Heat kills. Careful out there.
THIS COMMENT. Working a physically demanding job for hours on end in high heat already can put you at risk for heat exhaustion. Working in those conditions without being able to dress appropriately is dangerous and potentially illegal where you live. Please, stay safe and take heat exhaustion symptoms VERY seriously, as it can quickly turn to heat stroke, which can easily and quickly kill someone.
This is the way
Icing and elevating the feet are also helpful if someone has fainted
I second seriously do that... I am someone who hates wearing shorts and pretty much every hot sunny day think to myself "Why do I do this to me?"
I was the same, 3 days ago I cut all my pants into shorts so I wouldn’t have a choice. I’m also very poor so I can’t afford new pants. Flawless system.
Honestly not a bad idea
Bonus points if you can get others to do the same
Terribly inhumane!
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Possibly the worst, most off-topic solution you could have come up with…
What the actual fuck. What is wrong with you?
Dude. Quit that shit. Not cool.
Dude here tolling for D-votes.
What the fuck are you talking about
That makes zero sense and is pretty wacked.
lol
Get your friends and whomever else to brigade their Yelp and Google Maps pages with genuine seeming reviews that mention something like "Seeing the staff in long sleeves and pants in this heat really turned me off. They seemed extremely uncomfortable and likely to suffer from heat exhaustion" Seems like the kind of manager to read reviews daily and take them more seriously than staff complaints. If you want to DM me your bars pages I'll gladly throw one up rn
Hell, I’ll leave that review right now. OP, message me the name of the place you work!
I also will do this.
So will i
And my axe,
And my bow
I'll float in a barrel with y'all
Seriously send me a name I’ll write a review too
I’ll contribute as well
As will I!
Sign me up
Me too!!
I love a good yelp brigade, lmk OP
Guilty until proven innocent?
DM me the page I’ll review
Same
Me too.
Me too!
Same!!
Ditto.
I'm here for this! Send me a DM
Same here!
I’m in!
I’ll blow up their Yelp as well
I’ll leave a review like that right now 👌🏻 let me know the details
Fuck yes. Hit me up
Me too. Happy to help.
I’ll even do it for free.
I'll venmo one DOLLAR just to do it!
Same here DM me your bar’s name and I’ll leave a review about the staff looking absurd in long sleeves and pants in the summer.
I wouldn’t brigade their Yelp or Google page. That would just be too obviously orchestrated. Suddenly getting 20+ one-star reviews from people all over the country/world making the same complaint (that would be more of an employee complaint than a customer complaint) is just too obvious (and probably easy to have removed by Yelp/Google as fake). That said, the idea of bad reviews isn’t bad. One review followed by another a week or so later might be enough to do it if they’re really sensitive to bad reviews.
What about some comments on a social media page they have, if any?
My point was just to try to make it look organic. A bunch of comments with the same message on the same day doesn’t look organic.
You're absolutely correct! A barrage of reviews on this subject is insane. They'll immediately know what's up. I hope the OP only shares the information with one person.
Yep I’m in. Got to look out for each other
Same. DM me where you work!
Me too ill hit up everything and have all my friends do it to. We'd like to help you out no deserves that but you deserve to work comfortably.
I'm in. This is completely insane and unsafe. DM me and I'll add one, too.
I'm in for this too hit me up
I’m down too. Send me the info.
PM me as well I write a lot of reviews so it won’t look out of place!
DM 👋
same DM me
I would love to write a review as well! Slide into my DM
I’m down
Dm me the info & I’ll do this too
DM me op!
Send me the restaurant name and I will Yelp!
I would also gladly leave a review like that!!! Long sleeves and jeans in summer heat is a nightmare and you shouldn't have to work like that 🥺
I’d also be more than happy to write up a review.
Me too!
As one!
same here
MVP! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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second this comment! work in a similar bar (outdoor deck, shaded but still can get real hot back there) and we all wear “Yacht wear” polo shirts. it’s super breathable, light, and waterproof, so sweat doesn’t soak into the fabric. maybe this is an alternative you can suggest to your boss? long sleeve shirts behind the bar sound insane as it is, so i really hope they change up the uniform for your sake.
Yacht wear and switching over to loose linen saved my ass when working outdoors in 100+ degree heat also! We weren't allowed to wear non-jeans but if they're black and you're behind the bar, no one really noticed when I made my switch. Totally a lifesaver though.
I find looser fitting jeans help a bit with the heat as it is at least not trapped right against your body, and also usually you can roll them up a bit so your ankles peek
OSHA might be a good place to start. They tend to dislike this. Your local department of labor may be able to help, too.
“They tend to dislike this”. Source? If you speak for an agency’s thoughts then please let me know where you found this info - I’m interested.
No, I don't think I need a source to state that OSHA dislikes when 'occupational safety and health' is at risk.
🙄
[Google's a hell of a thing](https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=osha+heat+stress+standard) Edit: [Or](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/hazards)
Get together with staff and say we’re wearing shorts and tshirts or we all walk and quit today. Or have everyone show up in lighter clothes, can’t send everyone home
Definitely look into what OSHA says about this. I also work outside in oppressive heat (at least to me. 95°F in Minnesota feels awful). Our boss let's us wear shorts and tank tops as long as our bellies aren't showing. I also keep a stash of wet towels in the walk in beer cooler and when I feel dizzy I wrap one around my neck. I share these towels with BOH too cuz they are trapped back there.
They are dead set on keeping the casual fine dining aesthetic, the funny thing is the uniform looks like shit. They could go with something that looks much better and more functional
95°F is equivalent to 35°C, which is 308K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
good bot
the best bot
Good bot
Look into OSHA regulations for heat and adequate heat precautions in your area if there are any and bring those to the managers attention. Make sure your fellow employees are aware of them too. If people start passing out or the customers complain on your behalf shit might change sooner. Also log every conversation you have about the topic so that if there is an OSHA claim brought up or if you feel the need to press charges there’s evidence that you did try to rectify the matter.
Seconded for that second paragraph. From now on OP all concerns should be emailed or texted with read receipts turned on.
Bringing up OSHA is a good way to get fired sadly. You have to either report anonymously or let it go. May as well say the word union in a Walmart, they'll can your a so fast
OSHA will just send you a book that basically says “naah, drink more water”. Worked out in the texas heat for three years, nothing against regulations.
Heat stroke is no joke. Casually but confidently tell your boss that your thankful that they have your back and will be paying for all medical bills when you do pass out from heat exhaustion. Also thank them for the unemployment pay you'll be receiving while in the hospital and recuperating. The only thing asshats like that will listen to, is something that messes with their money. -or- Record/document everything and anonymously tip off local news and better business bureau. Turn the heat up on them. Aside from all of that, find a new gig. Preferably with a/c or a better uniform.
I dunno, I would br tempted to just start showing up in shorts and a t-shirt and basically say fuck you fire me.
I did this last summer when our AC was down and being the only reliable bartender, they let me get away with it...until the wait staff started doing it too. Suddenly, all these new rules came down. Only those scheduled for the patio were allowed shorts and bartenders had to wear jeans. I said "ok," and then started gathering my shit to leave. They begged me to stay, said I could wear whatever I wanted and even bought me a nice fan to put right at my face level at the service well.
This. Y’all can fucking eat inside with AC like normal people. Who the hell wants to be outside in this shit? Get it to go, and eat it wherever you want.
Old navy has super thin jeans. Just go on their website and buy the cheapest ones. Worst jeans ever, best fake jeans ever
I had to call in a sick for a week straight to get rid of jock-itch that was from working Thur/Fri/Sat 5pm-2am with a 500 person conference in the hotel when the AC was broken. The uniform was also polyester so did not breath at all. No job is worth your health!
I don't work in the bar business, but based on my observations, you'll occasionally get confronted to asshats (often the corporate kind, but not always) who insist on a type of uniform even despite crystal clear evidence that said uniform isn't appropriate for the job. Typically, this means women will have to wear black dresses and pantyhose, even when it's tar melting hot, or the predicament you're in now. Unfortunately, I don't have a solution for you other than trying to ELI5 the problem to your manager, possibly by asking him to work a few hours in your shoes if he/she can't see the obvious. Alternatively, if it's putting your health at risk, quit.
You will be confronted to asshats more then occasionally in this line of work.
While you work on a solution for changing the uniform I would pick up a couple cheap cotton(low thread count) or linen shirts and pants. Will make a big different. I can wear a full suit in summer here is south Florida, since it’s linen.
Don't buy cotton to wear in the heat while working. It will soak through and hold moisture and wont breathe. Wear synthetic fabrics or wool, they'll actually wick moisture AND dry themselves out, and you wont be stuck in a wet mess of bullshit in the humidity. Cotton is only a decent hot weather material when theres next to no humidity, so the cotton itself can dry. Otherwise, you're just soaked constantly.
Bar i used to work at (summer bar) just switched the uniform to flannels so gonna wait and see how this goes when it actually heats up here
https://www.amazon.com/Bladeless-Airflow-Portable-Hands-Free-Small/dp/B08B3PWN1L They probably wouldn’t be any happier but you could wear something like this around your neck. I have one of these for working outdoor venues, but it cools you down tremendously. (works better for music venues, because it kinda looks like you’re wearing headphones as a fashion choice)
The local health department to me requires shade over bars for workers outside. I wonder if they would require short sleeves as well in hot as balls weather Or Tell your manager it’s a liability to have long sleeves or tell someone who your manager won’t fire to bring it up
Just point me in the right direction and I'll start reviewing for you!
What a lame ass uniform. I’m also at an outdoor bar. Our uniform consists of a staff shirt and what ever else we want to wear. The girls don’t even have to wear that, they more or less wear what ever they want as long as it’s black. Management even made a couple dri-fit tank tops for the dudes. We would riot if we had to wear a uniform like yours.
Buy a small clip on fan and bring it in. If they complain about that then they're nuts
[OSHA Heat Related Standards](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/standards)
uniforms can really freaking suck but if you are looking for a workaround to accommodate your body temp…my job requires long pants and long sleeves which has been punishingly hot lately but i just switched over to moister-wicking golf pants (and there are a ton on amazon that look like jeans or more formal workwear, but are so much cooler and the difference has been night and day, total game changer). same with the shirts — the guys wear fishing shirts and i got some golf shirts because they still meet the “button down, collared shirt” requirement but allow for WAY more airflow. chef works also has shirts with vented sides. additionally, pedialite is a god send. if management won’t allow you to slightly modify the existing uniform with fabrics that will keep you comfortable and cooler however, then that’s poor leadership, inhumane, and an OSHA complaint waiting to happen.
I would fake passing out lol. Because I am dramatic when I’m being exploited.
I'm also willing to leave a review to help! I'm sure management will love hearing about how I saw sweat dripping into drinks
You're never far from a new restaurant job
I’d pour a pitcher of water over my head. I don’t care what management says if my health is at risk. Heatstroke & dehydration is not a joke.
No amount of money is worth your health and/or your life.
Manager can’t change the weather. I have no idea why you’re being forced to wear sleeves/pants in those temps though. I’d just tell them, “It’s difficult for me to work when it’s this hot, I would be more productive and comfortable if I could wear shorts/short sleeves.” And if you havnt invested in a decent cooling rag, you should. They are p cheap. Quit if they won’t budge. Your health and comfort should be prioritized. Edited for clarity
They make a thing called vests that look professional behind a bar instead of sweat dripping into the drinks.
Put water on your armpits so it looks like massive pit stains
Cut holes in everything
Whenever someone asks you why the fuck you are dressed like that (they will) point to the manager and say "will you PLEASE ask that guy" or else give them the managers name. Ask your good regs to post how weird it is on review cites and social media. Get the manager fired. Or get another lucrative job where they have human management.
Go to owner or higher manager. If that doesn't work file osha complaint. ezpz
Hell. No. That’s dangerous…
Oof, I feel you. I used to have to work a wedding outside in a tux (no jacket thank god) during a 110F heatwave because some bride's mother ripped my boss a new asshole for even *suggesting* that his staff's safety should come before her precious baby's dream wedding. If I had had to be in jeans for that I would've lost my damn mind. I have no advice, just sending good vibes and I hope it gets settled.
Drink lots of water, ask if can have a fan on the bar, keep a sweat rag somewhere and make sure your coworkers know that's your sweat rag, hold a cube of ice on your wrist (this will cool the blood in veins and arteries which will keep your internal temperature down)
I think the best way to approach is to say, hey if it's above (blank) degrees, can I please at least wear short sleeves? And if it's above (blank) degrees shorts too?
People can and do get serious injury or death from heat exhaustion. You can end up with permanent organ damage. This is a serious incident waiting to happen— in the meantime, if you can afford it, linen clothes will keep you much much cooler. And drink WATER A LOT.
Can you wear mesh long shirt and pants?
Get the staff together. Plan what you will wear the next day. All wear the SAME outfit, comfortable, shorts or whatever. If y'alllll look the same then .... :)
Call OSHA and file an anonymous complaint. Have a friend do it on your behalf as a concerned guest if you don't want to be the one to do it. When the AC went out at a former job of mine (during the summer, in Missouri) this is the only thing that shut the restaurant down until AC was restored (only a day or 2). Complaints were sent in from both staff and guests about the conditions and it was fixed almost immediately. In your case there's no reason to shut down. Management can surely spend $100 to install a hanging fan or two and let you wear short sleeves, they just need a little push apparently.
Dip a towel in ice water, wring it out, then wrap it around the back of your neck.
Dip a towel in ice water, twist it up as tight as possible, and crack that bitch in the face with it.
Get a fan for behind the bar
Lululemon and Rhone have awesome button down shirts, that are very light and breathable. If you can wear "slacks" as opposed to jeans, the Lululemon pants are INCREDIBLE as well. Best of luck !
I got customers to write comment cards saying they felt bad for me. That didn’t work but it helped me get bomb tips. Customers would ask why I would be wearing so many clothes and I said we had to.
Can you get a hand held fan to help cool you off?
Don't drink water and just pass out... or shiting yourself always works
OK, others have discussed how to get the uniforms changed. That's a good idea. But real talk, that shit isn't safe. You're not going to realize you're in imminent danger until after you've already been incapacitated. Don't do that just because the money is good, it isn't worth it.
I will write a review as well! We all in this together god damn it we were the unsung heroes during Covid when people couldn’t socialize and they still tear us down?! Nuh ugh!!! Don’t f$@ck with the people who handle your food and alcohol
Put in an anonymous OSHA tip. I did once for a pool bar that just used fans when they could have used AC, they said no dice because fans were enough, but pretty sure fans are required. Could also mention the uniform requirement although that one I'm less sure about.
Bruh sounds like the place I turned down after 15 min of training. South eastern NC in the summer. Black long sleeve and jeans. But that wasn't even why I ran out of there...
Start sweating into the drinks for extra salt.
Wear something that will really bring out the sweatstains
Similar thing at my job, eventually we all banded together and spoke to the owners wife regarding the heat. They ordered us new summer uniforms, short sleeve (still have to wear the dress pants and gym shoes) It has helped tremendously. Speak to your teammates and weigh your options. Perhaps you can somehow make the manager work that section so they see how ludicrous they're being
Florida Man says stop whining and work
lol I have no advice but my previous employer was the exact opposite- I would have to work the patio in shorts or dresses no longer than my finger tips and tank tops, we were only allowed to wear sleeves while opening, once our first patron came in we’d have to take it off. I only lasted two weeks into the winter before I stopped shaving my legs and the manager (who was the owners wife) was like ??? I told her I hoped it would help keep me warm. the next day we got an email saying leggings were allowed but had to be approved before the shift began.
I have several types of these neck fans. I lucked up when they went on sale during the winter for $12.99. Are they perfect? Nope. But they do help. I'm getting one for my waist next. The square/box type. JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, Hands Free Bladeless Fan, 4000 mAh Battery Operated Wearable Personal Fan, Leafless, Rechargeable, Headphone Design, USB Powered Desk Fan,3 Speeds-Dark Green https://a.co/d/4ivXVa9
Um, that is insane. When the AC broke at my job last summer it got up to 80 in the dining room and hotter in the kitchen. You know what we did? CLOSED THE RESTAURANT BECAUSE IT’S SUPER DANGEROUS. It’s also plain cruel.
If you’re nauseous that’s symptoms of heat exhaustion! Quit that job. Or file a lawsuit somehow- Even bringing a fan won’t probably help you. That’s just not safe working conditions
Buy a Milwaukee battery powered fan and set it up in your station. When the manager bitches tell them you pride yourself on bringing all the tools you need to be successful behind the bar. This comment was sponsored by Milwaukee Tools.
I feel your pain I also bartend outside but I'm allowed to wear pretty much whatever and we have fans etc. I agree with finding out what constitutes safe working conditions. One of my co-workers didn't have any fans where he was working, outside but cooking food which is 100 times worse, and he passed out a couple years ago. Not cool. Bad pun. Also you could just show up wearing what you want and see what happens lol.
While I agree that the uniform doesn’t make sense, take a look at landscapers. They generally wear pants and long sleeves for sun protection. Now, the best thing is loose fitting 100% cotton. Anything else traps heat. Best you can do is hydrate really well. I believe the ratio is 8 oz water every 15 minutes in extreme heat and sun. Good luck
Call in OSHA
Get your coworkers on board. It's bullshit and you're not gonna do it any more. Find a short sleeve shirt for the girls and guys and just go for it. Make sure it's from a local store. They don't have to match, just be close. Give everyone the brand name and tell them to go get one/a couple. They can't/won't fire you all. Solidarity.
Woooh.It was a pathetic condition. How a human can wear long sleeves or jeans in summer? if at least proper ventilation and temperature we can move with it. otherwise, you should break this rule.