Fix the Office Temperature!
Over the past two weeks, building maintenance has been aggressively trying to fix the temperature issues on our floor.
Temperatures have fluctuated more than 10 degrees over this time period, making it extremely difficult to work. I don’t know what’s worse, but I’m beginning to lean towards HOT. Breaking a sweat without any physical activity is just not cool (no pun intended).
"I guess it's OK to call the Office Manager here 'buddy.' That means friend."
There are plenty of distractions at the workplace, but most are avoidable. Upcoming deadline? Sign-off from Gchat. Maybe ditch the Internet all together. But you can’t avoid a sudden change in the office temperature. Not only do you face the punishment of sitting in a cubicle all day, you now have to sit in a cubicle either sweating or shivering.
Co-workers are trying drastic measures to fight the inevitable – sweatshirts, portable heaters, fans, shawls (not recommended), you name it. All things that make you look weak.
After this picture, Snuggies just might get added to the HR Handbook.
A few of my co-workers and I decided to look deeper into the issue. What is technically the ideal office temperature?
In the spirit of the Vancouver Olympics, the Canadian Center of Occupational Health and Safety list 72 degrees as the most comfortable year-round temperature.
Responses to Temperatures - Canadian Center for OSHA
My office breached 78 degrees, optimal for bathing and showering. Although at that point, you feel like you sure as hell need one. It was down to 66 degrees the week prior, which causes physically inactive people to begin to shiver. Not quite as bad as being hot, but definitely not something you’re happy about. Two temperatures, located at both extremes on the list.
But no, my office did not provide a shower with Danica Patrick at 78 degrees.
After continuously irritating the office manager, which was most likely transferred to the building maintenance staff, the office finally hit that magic temperature of 72 degrees. What a difference.
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we have a real problem with this at my office. since i work in a smaller office, one of the higher ups will constantly go up and change the temperature depending on how he is feeling. it is always one extreme or the other! also, in the winter, our office temp always seems to be REALLY hot so when you are wearing sweaters bc its cold outside, you die when you get into the office. very very annoying.
i hate it when the temperature goes out of whack in my office. i once read that during normal operation they could even keep the space shuttle at 72 degrees. i couldn’t find that info, but i did find this: http://tiny.cc/Xq8mj so basically they can keep the ISS in the same ranges as your office did (18-27 C = 64.4-80.6 F).
i’m totes sending this chart to my roommate. she toasts me out of our place all the time.
and my podmate keeps a heater under her desk at work. whyyy?
I’ve spent close to $50 on desk fans for this exact reason. I currently incorporate dual Hawaiian Breeze 4″ fans to the left and right of my monitor.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/229191378_44aee6f5cc_m.jpg
Ugh, I can relate to this. It was FREEZING in our office and the building manager told us that “the office is heated by the sun and dress appropriately.” seriously?? Why can’t the office be heated by, um, heat?
Humans — I feel your pain. My office manager told me they just pick dates to turn on/off the heat. And it’s locked in…because, you know, weather follows a strict schedule.
[...] office is hot, humid and muggy, and it’s pissing me off. My previous rant on office temperatures still holds true as I continue to push through the days perspiring at all hours. Once again, us [...]
It’s freezing cold in our office, out of the 6 vents only 2 work..and guess what…one is to my right and the other directly over my head. As i’m typing this..i have my heater going and a jacket…and it’s supposed to be 74 outside. Everywhere else in the office it’s appropriate, the building manintenance who might as well be the broom the janitors closet doesn’t do anything about it. He says it’s an old building. My boss doesn’t care. It’s just october…wonder what’ll happen in the winter months. This place is pathetic.