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Some of you might recall my previous post about the "where to park the car issue" that I had with my boss. Well, a new, even more exciting issue has emerged.......
Yesterday, it was cold. Not frigid, mind you....but cold enough to be uncomforatable. So, I did the natural thing. I turned on the heater that was behind me so that I could warm up a little.
Well, about 15 minutes later my boss sits down at the chair beside my desk and informs me that we do not turn on heat in the winter. We "put on more clothes", if we are cold. The only time we would consider putting on the heat is if (and this is a direct quote), "our fingers were turning blue". She mentioned to me that her husband (the other manager) wears a coat in his office when he gets cold. She informed me that I am welcome to wear socks, sweaters, jackets, whatever I like (as long as it looks nice).
Her reasoning behind this was that "everybody in the office" likes a different temperature, and what might be too cold for one person might be too hot for another". And also, "that we have people coming in that have been working outside, and it feels too hot for them".
Of course this is all BS.. The fact of the matter is that she is too cheap to pay for heat- so everyone (myself especially) is supposed to suffer for it. I contacted the labor board, who told me that "he has heard it all now", but that they cannot do anything.
I am really amazed. So this morning I made sure to wear some pretty funky looking WARM clothes which DID help. But still, I do not like the idea that I have to dress like the Sta-Puf Marshmallow man to be comfortable.
Some of you might recall my previous post about the "where to park the car issue" that I had with my boss. Well, a new, even more exciting issue has emerged.......
Yesterday, it was cold. Not frigid, mind you....but cold enough to be uncomforatable. So, I did the natural thing. I turned on the heater that was behind me so that I could warm up a little.
Well, about 15 minutes later my boss sits down at the chair beside my desk and informs me that we do not turn on heat in the winter. We "put on more clothes", if we are cold. The only time we would consider putting on the heat is if (and this is a direct quote), "our fingers were turning blue". She mentioned to me that her husband (the other manager) wears a coat in his office when he gets cold. She informed me that I am welcome to wear socks, sweaters, jackets, whatever I like (as long as it looks nice).
Her reasoning behind this was that "everybody in the office" likes a different temperature, and what might be too cold for one person might be too hot for another". And also, "that we have people coming in that have been working outside, and it feels too hot for them".
Of course this is all BS.. The fact of the matter is that she is too cheap to pay for heat- so everyone (myself especially) is supposed to suffer for it. I contacted the labor board, who told me that "he has heard it all now", but that they cannot do anything.
I am really amazed. So this morning I made sure to wear some pretty funky looking WARM clothes which DID help. But still, I do not like the idea that I have to dress like the Sta-Puf Marshmallow man to be comfortable.
This really ticks me off. Any ideas?
20yrsinBranson
Quit.
Seriously tho, your state must have laws about what temperature it's illegal to keep people working indoors? Find out what it is, buy a thermometer and keep it at your desk. Log if/when the office temp reaches or gets close to that temp and report it to the AG's office.
And if they don't turn on the heat, why do they let you have a heater?
Seriously tho, your state must have laws about what temperature it's illegal to keep people working indoors? Find out what it is, buy a thermometer and keep it at your desk. Log if/when the office temp reaches or gets close to that temp and report it to the AG's office.
And if they don't turn on the heat, why do they let you have a heater?
The heater was put there before the existing owners bought the business.
I don't know for certain, but I would wager that there is no law governing indoor work temperature conditions.
But thank you for the advice. I will take it under advisement.
I kinda agree with your boss. The rest of the office shouldn't have to sweat their collective behinds off just because you get a chill when it is 66 degrees in there. Put on a sweater!
Bring in a personal heater, that is what my wife has always done. But then again she does it in the summer when the a/c is blowing cold
That is a really good idea, but then they'd probably complain about the electric bill. Years ago I worked for a company that added cubicle "offices" wherever they could find room. My particular cubicle, that I shared with a coworker, was at the building's exit, and the door was opening and closing all day, letting in frigid air. One wall was a floor to ceiling window, letting in more drafts. Their answer was to cover it up with plywood. Helped a little, but not much. This area had no heating vents. We brought in space heaters from home, but these required extension cords. Nixed by the fire marshall. We sat there in our coats, scarves, gloves (typing not as fast in those) and hats. They eventually added insulation to the window, but by then it was spring.
Seriously, if you end up catching cold, they will have to address it. Unsuitable working conditions come to mind.
Stay warm, and keep complaining. The squeaky wheel...
Why not contact NIOSH for advice? Part of providing a safe and productive work environment includes office temperature and humidity. Cool/cold temps have effect on periphery - hands and feet - first. There could be health hazards for some folks to have temperature induced vessel constriction due to cold. While cutting down on the power bill may save money, staff unable to be effective and efficient nullifies the cost benefit. If running a heater during business hours is going to tank the company, they have more problems than cold hands and feet.. I'd be looking around at alterative employers, though I know that is tough to do these days. Best of luck.
Seriously, if you end up catching cold, they will have to address it. Unsuitable working conditions come to mind.
A cold is caused by a virus, not from being in a cold office.
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I'd be looking around at alterative employers, though I know that is tough to do these days. Best of luck.
