A female colleague insists on having her office fan on all winter and as I feel the cold I find it unbearable. She knows how I feel and I've also told my boss who has so far been ineffectual.
2007-05-10 06:57:12 · 14 answers · asked by margie 911 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
have a meeting we both the colleague and the boss and try to come to a compromise. There maybe a good reason for your female colleague having the fan on. but she has to understand that everyone else is uncomfortable with this situation. Try puting this in writing and give reasons for this complaint. good luck. let me know how it goes.
2007-05-11 04:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by b1uecee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your female colleague? If she's late 40's-early 50's, it's possible that she's experiencing hot flashes associated with the onset of menopause. If that's the case, she has my sympathy, because you don't know how awful it is to be sitting at your desk sweating like you're in a sauna while everyone around you is either comfortable or cold.
You might ask your colleague to re-direct her fan so that it doesn't put a draft on you, and if there's a spot in your office that's cooler than the rest, maybe you can shift things around so she can be there. But please, if it turns out she is having hot flashes, have a little sympathy-- if that's the case, she's not trying to make life miserable for you, she's trying to make life bearable for herself. At least TALK to her to find out what's going on.
2007-05-10 14:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by Karin C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean here i have had the same problem and had difficulty layering clothes properly to combat it, i had to put on so many layers of clothes it was ridiculous. I suspected she must have menopause heat related problems. She should just walk around in her undies, confront her about this problem. I think your thermoregulation is really important and all the menopausal women should be housed together and you ought to be positioned somewhere else.
When seated for long periods you can feel colder than someone moving about using energy. I'd say see if you can multitask and do leg exercises to keep warm and maybe pelvic floor exercises which are kind of discrete.
Good luck communicating with the woman. Maybe tell the boss that it could be affecting your work performance because thermoregulation is a basic human need and without satisying this need it is hard to move on to more important tasks like getting the job done.
2007-05-10 14:32:50 · answer #3 · answered by Compliments 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to HR, be very polite and neutral and let them know that it is affecting your work - you are catching colds etc.....Just so that you have it on record as your boss hasn't done anything - so there's a paper trail. Then call in sick every now and then. I also second the space heater idea.Maybe to be funny bring in a scarf and hat!
Sounds like she is either very heavy ( heavier people always seem to be overheated and turning the thermostat down in my office regardless of the rest of us freezing) or maybe she is hitting menopause and having hot flashes? Whatever the cause, she has to get along with people just as everyone else does - it's not her home.
2007-05-10 14:35:07 · answer #4 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eeek, nothing bothers me like cold on a cold winters day. Unfortantly my friend your female co-worker has the right to keep that fan on. Have you suggested turning the fan in another direction so it will not blow cold air in your direction? If applicable simply ask your boss to move your location in your office. If those tactics fail you then I say fight fire with fire. Why not bring in a small personal heater to combat the cold air blowing on you. If you cannot do that then simply dress warmer or bring an extra layer of clothes to combat the cold air she blows on you.
2007-05-10 14:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have BEEN there. I worked with a 40 something lady that kept the fan on in our workspace and the door propped open to the snowy outside.
If your boss refuses to do something, and if your talks with her have been ineffective, you may be up a creek. Wear layers to work, and keep a light jacket or blazer at the office, just in case.
2007-05-10 14:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by mesasa1978 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try and show a little compassion, trust me - those TROPICAL moments us over 4Os suffer are diabolical to say the least, real killers! Suggest she directs the fan towards one corner of the office where she sits?
One day you may suffer these yourself and maybe you will realise for yourself just how it feels, like you are about to burst into flames, and your thermostat has dropped off! Ye Gods!!!
Thank goodness they do end eventually. Go on, put a jumper on and be kind to Menopausal lady....its no joke trust me!
.
2007-05-10 20:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by SUPER-GLITCH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the manager of Human Resources and file a formal complaint.
2007-05-10 14:01:13 · answer #8 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suggest your colleague grips an ice cube between her massive buttocks instead - the selfish cow!
2007-05-10 17:03:20 · answer #9 · answered by Tufty Porcupine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your boss for a space heater--on the company's dime.
2007-05-10 14:11:58 · answer #10 · answered by fun_purple_beach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋