One of my coworkers likes to have the air-con at 15 degrees (Celcius) everyday, but I am constantly cold. I sit under a vent and as a result end up sneezing all day. My hands are so cold I can hardly type and my nose is always running. Yet whenever I try to alter the temp, he just waits till I'm not watching and puts it back. I've tried talking to him and joking about it, but he just doesn't seem to care about my discomfort.
So my question is, does anyone have any tips on how I can win this battle?
PS i don't bring a sweater to work, because it's like 30 degrees outside (it's summer here) and it's a hassle to carry one. Plus, I don't see why I should have to!
2006-11-29 16:23:04 · 12 answers · asked by the_fatmanwalksalone 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
See if it's possible to close or cover the vent with something. Some hardware stores have magnetic covers or screw in shields that redirect the airflow.
If you have building maintenance, bring the problem up to them and/or your manager. This will impact your health if more drastically if it continues. You could even see about having management set & lock the thermostat control.
You could also ask that the AC be turned down or off in the morning and then turned on later as the heat of the day rises ... to save money for the company.
You could speak to him in a very direct fashion about it and try to come to a compromise. You could also get to work early and set the thing then crazy glue it in place or remove the dial (but, I would talk to management before defacing company property).
Every time you come back to your desk, change the temp back.
Keep a sweater or pull over at work, don't bother carting it back & forth home. Lastly, bring in a space heater - fight Ice with Fire.
Good Luck!
2006-11-29 16:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by bionicbookworm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One easy thing to start with is to see if you can have the vent turned away from you so it's not blowing directly on you.
Bring an old sweater in and leave it there, get a small heater to put at your desk.
Ask a general question to everyone else in the office while the fella who keeps turning the AC down so low whether or not they're cold. It's likely someone else feels like you do and will speak up.
Otherwise, if they're just doing it out of power or spite, then it's time to talk to the manager about it and how it's affecting your productivity.
Good luck.
2006-11-30 00:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by somewherein72 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Women feel the cold more than men - the temperature should be set on 24 degrees - thats the recommendation from health & safety and the electricity board. We have the same problem when we go shopping at a certain centre. The bank tellers have to wear coats everyday and it is painfully cold so its 38 outside and we have to wear coats to do the shopping. I would go off the nut at him...if it was 15 outside he would be complaining about the cold weather.
The guy needs his blood pressure treated 15 is ridiculous.
2006-11-30 01:42:45 · answer #3 · answered by obenypopstar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very good question. I tend to be on the opposite end of the spectrum and freeze other people out. Really, if he really is always hot, he really doesn't have too many other options...apart from partially undressing in work which would not go over well. So, as much as I hate to say it, I would suggest bringing a sweater even if it is summer. Is there a place you can keep one at work?
2006-11-30 00:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by beethovens_sixth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does the manager know that you and your coworker have this problem? Certainly if your fingers are too cold to type you are not able to do your job properly. Hopefully you and your coworker can compromise, but if not, I'd ask the manager to help you work something out.
2006-11-30 15:29:27 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The air con can be a hard one..
If its confortable without the air con on you could always approuch your managing director and tell him there is no need to have it on or for it to be working as hard.
and that your freezing and dont wish to get sick because your under the vent.
Maybe ask to swap desks with this person.. or ask the manager to swamp your desks over..
So he can sit under the vent.
Either way.. he wants to freeze his butt off..
but let you get the full blast of it... you need to speak to someone about it.. its not healty for you.
2006-11-30 00:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by A Lady Dragon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one - he likes it cold and you need the office to be warm. Basically, you need to get up and turn the thermostat up every time your co-worker puts it down. Also, let you boss know how uncomfortable you are in a cold office - maybe he/she can do something to make it more bearable for you.
2006-11-30 00:26:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Often this problem comes about because men wear heavy wool suits and women wear light blouses and skirts. Talk to the other men in your company if that is the situation and your boss. It's November. It's practically winter, people shouldn't have to have the AC on.
2006-11-30 00:26:39 · answer #8 · answered by Cybele 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wonder if it would be different if you also were a guy? Anyway, can you talk to your supervisor about it? Is there a way you could talk to this guy and work out a compromise? It's tough cause guys are usually warmer than women. Anyway you could trade places with him? Good luck.
2006-11-30 00:25:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Definitely speak to the manager-you've made an effort to be reasonable and he is just power tripping.
2006-11-30 03:43:19 · answer #10 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋