Our director has sent round an email telling us to wear jumpers. Wibu to ask him to turn the heating up instead?

[DeepDeepThought]

Our departmental director came into the office for the first time in around half a year recently. He noticed that we don't always have all the windows wide open all the time (as per Covid guidance) and sent round an email about it. He says he understands that we might be cold (we are!) but we should all just expect the office to be colder now and bring in jumpers and open all the windows. AIBU to think that wearing a jumper is not the same as being in a warm room and that if he wants us to all sit in a place with wide open windows for eight hours a day throughout winter then he needs to be turning the heating up?

YANBU

I'd wear the jumper as well - they can turn the heating up but a jumper is going to help.

I think you should expect to wear clothing appropriate to the season, for example tights, warm trousers, layers and jumpers. Yes the windows should be open and the heating on as well to keep it comfortable, but not so warm that you don’t need to wear a jumper.

How about he observes the guidelines of WFH if at all possible? I think it is absolutely ridiculous to expect people, including children and teachers, to be able to function all day five days a week in a freezing cold room.

If you've got the windows open is the heating actually going to heat up the office regardless of what its set to? Maybe need to get some patio heaters.

You won’t be warm pouring heat out of windows. Just broke and guilty of appalling waste. Suck it up with thermals and layers and thank heavens you have a sensible manager.

I'm not saying I agree with him but he won't be wanting to turn the heating up just for it to go straight out the open windows.

There needs to be a balance and a bit of give and take. You should be responsible to some extent for keeping yourself warm i e. Not wandering around in a thin blouse, but a jumper alone won't stop you feeling draughts and your hands being cold.

Oh he WFHs alright.

We do wear jumpers anyway. And scarfs. Some of us wear coats. It's still cold.

So wasteful. We all need to be more careful about our energy consumption. There's little point turning the heating up if the windows are open, it's literally burning resources and money.

Nobody is "wandering around in a thin blouse".

Well I say that: I have no idea what he gets up to at home.

I agree it’s miserable working in the cold. Is there any way you can negotiate to do some work from home?

It's really pointless whacking up the heating when the windows are open. If the office warms up it literally means the ventilation isn't doing what it's supposed to!

Wrap up warm - get a jumper, layers, coats etc. It is what it is.

Is that what you all do then? Wear coats at work?

Are you allergic to jumpers? If they turn the heating up surely the heat will just go straight out the open window.

As said, I wear jumpers.

@DeepDeepThought

Is that what you all do then? Wear coats at work?

Yes…

Schools have to open all the windows. The classrooms are really cold so pupils are allowed to wear a jumper or black sweatshirt under their blazers.

Wear base layers - like sports people do. They are really thin and go under clothes. Then wear layers on top. Fleece is good for keeping you warm. Then a nice big jumper or similar. Would you rather that you were all ill because the windows are shut and germs fester...

If you're in an office the minimum temp is 16 degrees. As long as the temp is above 16 then he's done his part. If it's not then maybe get your union involved.

www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/law.htm

The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are not absolute legal requirements; the employer has a duty to determine what reasonable comfort will be in the particular circumstances.

Please don't use patio heaters inside! So dangerous. Also, guidance is windows open slightly for the background, then purge ventilation (wide open) when possible for example at lunch

I am definitely going to suggest patio heaters at the next team meeting 🤣👌

You'd have no need to worry about the cold if you bring patio heaters in.

@DeepDeepThought

Is that what you all do then? Wear coats at work?

Yes. And I've got a big scarf that doubles as a blanket. Double socks also help.

(Teacher)

My standard work-wear now includes long merino underwear, wool socks, wool jumpers, wrist-warmers and silk scarf. Sometimes I wear a battery-powered heat belt as well, or tuck a pair of disposable heat packs into my wrist warmers. If they get in the way of writing I tuck them into my bra. They make a huge difference, because sometimes if you cannot move around much your fingers get chilly even if the rest of you is warm.

We need to keep rooms well-ventilated, and space-heating is completely wasted. Suggest your boss keeps the office supplied with these.

I'd expect heating to be at a temperature where the majority are comfortable wearing jumpers and trousers or thick tights in winter. If the majority need to take a jumper off then it is too warm.