Managing office temperatures in shared office

Question

We've recently moved to a new location in the outer suburbs, and in new shared offices. In our previous location, we had no ability to open windows, or control heating and cooling.

In our new offices, we can now open the windows, and have an individual heater/air conditioner for every office.

I share an office with two other people which makes this complicated.

One runs hot like me, and prefers it to be cooler (but not freezing!) I would say 22-23 is comfortable (though to be honest at home I would keep it more in the 20 range, but I'm happy to compromise). The other runs cold, and prefers it hotter, around 28 if they could! They constantly turn the air con off even when we set it to 24, and when we compromise with opening one of the windows to let fresh air in, they shut the window too, complaining that the wind and the sound is distracting. They also keep the office door closed as it gets quite noisy outside, so no other air circulates, it gets VERY stuffy and hot with three people in a not-so-large space.

How might we best approach this situation without seeming like we're ganging up on the individual? I don't mind open windows, I prefer it over a freezing cold air conditioner, but to not be able to do that either is getting ridiculous and affecting my work productivity. I don't want the individual to feel bad either, and just want to come to a good solution/compromise for the three of us so we can work better.

Answer 1

Biology rules in this case.

You can always get a heater or put on more clothes if you are too cold, but the options are limited if you're too hot, and that's how you can begin to approach it.

I'm sorry, Dave, but it's just too hot in here for us. I'm sorry if you're uncomfortable, but you can put on a jacket or sweater while we can't do anything to cool off

If you're VERY comfortable with this person and are CERTAIN they wouldn't take offense, you could make a joke of it.

I'm sorry, Dave, but if we dress any less for the heat, HR may write us up.

or something like that.

But the point you need to make is that you cannot make yourself cooler as easily as he/she could either wear more clothes or get a space heater(depending on building and company rules)

Answer 2

You have come in touch with one of the most touchy subjects in office environments: the office temperature!

Being on the hot side myself (my comfort zone is around 18-20 degree Celsius), I understand the topic.

What I did when I had to face the issue was: I tried lightening my clothes as much as the office dress code allowed, and then if that was not enough I engaged the "cold" person making visible that I could not be less dressed than that, asking if he/she could do something to help me, too.

You can also try seating the cold person away from the window, so that when it is slightly opened the disturbance will be minimized.

Answer 3

I am a "cold" person and when working in an office with about 10 "warm" ones, all I could do was dress accordingly. I found extra large scarves and ponchos work wonders, so if you think this would be appropriate you could gift your co-worker an office scarf/blanket. Of course only if your relationship allows this without offence and it fits the dress code.

You could also try to find a compromise, e.g. open all windows once every half hour for 5 minutes to let in fresh air (adjust accordingly). The "cold" person could even leave the room for coffee or toilet breaks, so they don't have to "suffer".

P.S. I also found that cold-hot compresses work wonders for cold hands when you have a microwave in the office. Just heat it up every once in a while and you have a perfect personal way of heating up.

Answer 4

I am the cold person, i found a small oil filled radiator under my desk, kept my personal area warm, but didn't really affect the others too much.

And of course you need to come dressed for summer every day