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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think the office window should be open on a roasting day?

34 replies

BuilderMammy · 29/04/2014 16:54

It's really hot in here; all the windows are open, everyone who has a fan has it on, the internal doors are propped open and so is the emergency exit. The sun is streaming in; I've a fan pointed at my face but I can still feel my cheeks burning with the heat.

A colleague just came over and closed the window at my desk. I said 'But X, it's roasting in here' and she said 'Yes, I know, but my back is getting stiff so I need it closed'.

The last really hot day we had, she closed my window because it was giving her a sore ear.

She never closes other people's windows.

Is this some sort of passive aggressive muppetry or is the draft from my window on a calm, sunny and hot day really such a danger to her health that I have to sit here sweating?

OP posts:
maddy68 · 29/04/2014 17:18

I hate being in a draft even on a hot day! I am the office window closer

WooWooOwl · 29/04/2014 17:25

Drafts are annoying, and they can be prevented. Warm weather cannot be.

I'm with your colleague, sorry!

jacks365 · 29/04/2014 17:28

Sorry but I'd rather deal with heat than a draught too. There's something particularly annoying about being stuck in a draught.

0blio · 29/04/2014 17:31

Where are you that it's so hot? Envy

I hate draughts...

Yama · 29/04/2014 17:31

I'm with your colleague too. A cold draft kills my back. I have to shut the window near my desk if someone opens it.

So, YABU.

iwantsun · 29/04/2014 17:45

YANBU

FanFuckingTastic · 29/04/2014 17:47

Get a fan on your desk, best thing ever. Although she might not like that draught either.

iwantsun · 29/04/2014 18:01

I love fresh air Smile

MamaPain · 29/04/2014 18:06

Where have you been that its so warm? I've been sat in front of our largest window today and yes I had it slightly open because I love a bit of fresh air (as fresh as you can get in London anyway) but it was really not that warm.

Also I agree with your colleague about a draught being worse than the heat.

Anyone else just spent time looking up the difference between draft and draught?!

Artandco · 29/04/2014 18:08

I hate draughts so with colleague. It's not been that warm in London today

MaryWestmacott · 29/04/2014 18:15

Just reopen the window, suggest she puts a scarf on. Being cold can be easily fixed by adding layers without causing problems, being too hot is harder while sticking to office dress codes (sat at your desk in your bra and pants is usually frowned upon).

Or suggest you move round desks to avoid this being an issue, that you'll sit in the draught if she wants.

GenerationX2 · 29/04/2014 18:17

I don't understand how she can close your window - seems a bit cheeky to not even ask.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 29/04/2014 18:20

We have the same problem at work, some of us love the windows open and others like them closed. I am a window opener so YANBU Smile

Luckily where I work we all get on well so it doesn't cause a problem

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 29/04/2014 18:20

I always want a window open unless it's bitterly cold.

Next time, insist on it being left open as you have equal right to fresh air.

She has to compromise too.

Original poster
BuilderMammy · 29/04/2014 18:55

The heating in the building is notoriously dodgy; on nice days the sun streams in the side windows but the heating keeps working so it's roasting.

So am I supposed to be a sweaty, smelly, red faced mess all day then? I already have a fan on my desk, was wearing a light, short-sleeved top, light trousers and sandals, so really no scope for dressing more lightly. And everyone in there was complaining about the heat, opening windows and turning fans on, so it's not as if I was the only one too hot.

And there can't have been that much of a breeze coming in, it was a fairly still day. I suspect the main thing disturbing the air in there was the number of fans going!

OP posts:
MaryWestmacott · 29/04/2014 19:44

Just reopen it, then smile and say "sorry, I'm going to faint if we don't get the temperature down in here. You could put a cardie on or move so the draught isn't on your back, I'm going ot be too hot without an open window however we sit and I don't think I can take any clothes off and still be within the dress code, although you can add clothing much easier." Keep smiling, keep opening the window.

WooWooOwl · 29/04/2014 21:07

Rather than make your colleague suffer because you think your comfort is more important than hers, why don't you get on to your boss or HR about the dodgy heating?

DaisyMasie · 29/04/2014 21:10

Stillsaying how is 'insisting the window be left open' a 'compromise'?

This is an eternal problem in shared offices. In my experience though, the fresh air fiends are the worst. They just fling windows open without a by your leave, even in the middle of January when it's freezing outside.

phalanges · 29/04/2014 21:12

I could happily have the windows hermetically sealed.

I am one of those nightmare whingers who can't stand the windows open unless it's properly boiling i.e. 30 degrees+ and with no breeze whatsoever. I have a colleague who sits nearby that has a fan directed at her face all day - this is anathema to me.

I only spend about an hour per day in my office, which I think is a huge relief to my colleagues.

Bunbaker · 29/04/2014 21:18

I love having windows open on a nice day, but I hate having a draught on my back. I spent most of Thursday last week wearing my coat because someone insisted on having the window open - and it wasn't even a warm day.

It was nice today, but not sandals and short sleeved nice, so you clearly feel the heat more than most people. Is there any way you could be moved so that you aren't sat in the sun?

EverythingsDozy · 29/04/2014 23:34

It was certainly sandals and short sleeve weather where I live and I live up north where it's always colder!!! It was 18 degrees where I am, my kids were in shorts.
I can only imagine how bad it must've been in a hot office, probably plenty of windows making it like a greenhouse!
Definitely easier to warm up than cool down, I would have asked her to put on a cardigan.

PorkPieandPickle · 29/04/2014 23:44

I had to read this twice to make sure I didn't write it! Grin

YANBU. I am eternally wound up by people in my office who sit in a vest top and complain that they're cold.

It's not just about heat it's about fresh air- when its hot people can get sweaty in an office, I like to dilute their smell!

When we moved offices there were two rooms I suggested one for hot people and one for cold people... Of course the managers decided we should be sat by some other spurious reason so the arguments continue!

Mim78 · 30/04/2014 02:44

There haven't been any roasting days so far this year, certainly done where anyone should be sweaty at a desk unless heating was on.

Horrible to be sitting in the cold at work - "your" window must be the one that affects here.

Ok no need to sit in a vest top but she should not have to wrap up in a coat etc indoors.

If in doubt, those who are a healthy bmi get to say IMO. Not saying you are not but in some offices this is the problem.

Mim78 · 30/04/2014 02:44

Affects her, not here.

cherrytree63 · 30/04/2014 02:53

YANBU! It's easier to add layers to warm up than it is to cool down. It's healthy to have fresh air, coughs and colds spread easier in stuffy atmospheres.

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