My boss keeps me miserably cold! Help. :(?

Question

I don't know what is wrong with her - She and most of the women in this office are very overweight. They keep this office very unreasonably cold. The average temperation is 68 degrees.

The window in my room is sealed shut and no work orders for repairs are being processed at this time.

I tried closing my vents but she came into my office one day and popped them open, saying, "You have expensive equipment and it cannot overheat."

I AM MISERABLE!

I am to the point of quitting because I am uncomfortable every day. A sweater cannot keep my icy fingers warm, my nose from running, or my feet from turning into blocks of ice.

I have mentioned the cold situation before and I get picked on for being 'too skinny.' Nobody will adjust the thermostat for me. When I up it, my boss scampers up as fast as her pudgy butt will allow and she turns it down again.

Help?

Answer 1

At my office we have a similar issue. Ours is always cold because the A/C is controlled off site. Some idiot in another city has control over our temperature, which is a stupid way to run things.

A lot of people in my office either where jackets/sweaters or buy a small space heater. You can get a space heater at Wal-Mart for under $50.00. I would check your employee manual to see if you are allowed to bring one in. If you don't find a mention then there should not be any problem.

Answer 2

Well I would close the vents again or bring in a small space electric space heater. If she comes in to open the vents again you need to politely explain to her that you are very cold, that the office is kept uncomfortable cold for you.
If she brings up the bologna about the office equipment you can tell her that closing the vents does not raise the temperature enough to put anything in jeopardy but does make your work day a more productive one.
And honestly if anyone said anything to me about being 'too skinny' I would not hesitate to use the same tone of voice they did and mention being 'too fat'. There is NO difference in reference!

Answer 3

I have been in this same situation and I actually get hives from the cold, so on top of the runny nose and unbearable discomfort, I'm itchy. First of all, do you have a human resources department or is your boss the only person you can talk to about this? If you have a human resources dept. I would go directly to them and file a complaint. National standard for a/c is 72 degrees (not 68). If you have no one to complain to other than the boss than I think it's time to switch jobs. It's unfortunate that your co-workers are overweight and causing you such misery.

Answer 4

If most of the people in the office are happy with the thermostat setting, it's unreasonable of you to expect them to adjust it on your account. Dress warmer. There are special mitts for typing with cold hands. Leg warmers and crazy socks can look interesting and keep you warm (depending on the dress code in your office.) Wear heavier tights instead of bare legs or nylons...wear layers, with T-shirts or tank tops beneath your outerwear. Keeping your torso warm increases your overall body warmth. You can even keep sweaters and special socks and shoes at the office so you can wear them while you work but not at other times. Also, if there is some way you can wear a hat, keeping your head warm keeps in a lot of body heat. Adjust your personal body thermostat and be a cheerful office mate.

Answer 5

It is not uncommon for an office to be kept at that temperature, due to the heat office and computer equipment generate. Unfortunate for you, though, it seems, though it is not done to cause you misery. You might ask, gently, your boss if you might have a small space heater at your feet, to operate only on low. Learn to wear silk, thermal undergarments to help retain warmth. Layer your clothing. Surely you realize that one of a group will not win against the group.

And I HOPE you are not doing this at work...bosses have a funny way of searching your computer to see where you've been. I don't think this post would humor her at ALL.

If all else fails, find another job. Good luck, dear one.

Answer 6

Do you think you might be able to bring a small space heater just for your cubicle? You might have to go over her head to HR to let them know just how difficult the situation is for you.
68 is cool, but not overly, so I'm not sure how far you will be able to take the complaint.
You are right, that heavy people get hot fast, and thin people are cool. If you do have to leave this job for this reason you must begin to document each incident with dates and times in order to collect unemployment.
It's too bad you have to leave an ok job for such a silly reason.

Answer 7

I work in a dialysis unit and they crank up the coldness all the time. My suggestion to you is to talk to your boss about keeping your vents closed and maybe using a fan for this "expensive equipment". You shouldn't have to wear a parka to work. If she does not compromise on the vents maybe it's time to go above her head. Explain that your discomfort is affecting your work potential.. Other wise good luck and bundle up!!

Answer 8

My office is the same way but I work will all men!!

I went out and bought a small heater with petty cash and it's under my desk and I love it!!

Good Luck
Stay Warm

Answer 9

I can feel your pain. My office is the exact same way. Everyone is obese and they stay hot. I would like to once tell them to lose a little of the fat and maybe they would cool down a little bit.

I got a small heater and stuck under my desk and it works perfect.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Buy an electric blanket and put it on your seat, or cover your legs with it when you're at your desk.

Also, wear a woolly hat / scarf, and buy some "grandad" gloves - the gloves which have no fingers on the ends.
These are REALLY useful because they keep your hands warm, which in turn keeps the blood flowing to your fingertips warm, and also allow you to type/write with no problems.