Central heating is too hot, AIBU to look for a new job?

[SillieSarah]

The office is really hot. I’m going to work in sleeveless tops. I’m going home with headaches etc. myself and other colleagues do as well. We are using fans to try and cool down, management say it’s an acceptable temperature (they also don’t work in the office). They have said in so many words it’s just me.

AIBU to look for a new job? Been at the company three years, seen a job with more responsibility but I’m scared.

for reference the office is reading between 23-26 degrees. Depends on the thermometer location in the office, also different thermometers. I’m feeling I’ll during and after work. Why am I so sensitive to the heat? Im summer I don’t tend to feel too hot

I’d personally love to work in that temperature, I’m always cold and find anything below about 22/23 to be too chilly for me.

Having said this I’m very much in the minority and think it’s unacceptable to have people feeling unwell and unable to concentrate properly due to the conditions in the office. If the heating is broken they need to fix it and set it to a more fair temperature!

People like me can wear our big hoodies and suck it up 😂

Crazy they don't want to address it considering how much the heating bill must be!

I would go triple attack:

1. Request for temperature to be reduced to 21° - cite illness, lack of energy and low work rates etc
2. Express surprise that they aren't quicker to take on board a cost saving that benefits employees
3. Ask what their eco policy is and why an instant energy saving isn't embraced?

Maybe we don’t pay it, included in rent as I don’t think they can divide/separate the heat from the other floors

I’ve stated there are others in the office suffering (one even did a flexible working request) and they’ve disregarded that.

I don’t understand why you are so cold? 20 is probably the best temperature for me. I wonder if it’s because I’ve got used to the cold with having no central heating in my bedroom (sleep naked, heated blanket and two thick blankets). Face sometimes gets warm.

Presumably they will look to sorting it out when their fuel bills shoot up. The combined cost of keeping it that warm plus the cost of having the fans on will be huge. The environmental waste eyewatering. Id stay put but keep complaining about it - maybe mentioning the money being wasted and environmental concerns as a priority as your own discomfort isnt important to them sadly.

They don’t pay the bills as included in the rent

Silliesarah - Id bother them (in a professional way!) to get onto the landlord to sort it out. Presumably at some point the hike in fuel costs will hit the landlord too and the rent income wont sufficiently cover the fuel costs as before. Either the landlord will sort it out or they will put the rent up potentially forcing your bosses to decide to relocate.

I feel uncomfortable when the temperature is above 20c so I totally understand how you feel.

They just think this is an issue with some people not liking it too warm and it’s ok to have the heat on, fans on, windows open..

Lols it’s not gone well.

oh well time for a new job.

I remember working in Malaga (in summer). It was about 35 - 40 degrees outside, but there was a huge temperature screen inside which read 26 degrees. It felt perfect- just right with short sleeve tops. So I'd probably be happy in your office. Is everyone complaining it's too hot, or are some people happy? If everyone is complaining, can you send a letter signed by you all?

What temp do you keep your home heating at?

When it’s 28 degrees in the summer I don’t care. When it’s 26 degrees in the office, I do.

Yes, cooling to 26 in the summer, great, I don't want it so cold I need a jumper in the middle of summer. Heating to over 20 in winter when I want to dress for winter, not so great.

YANBU. I've always been one to suffer with the heat and I agree it makes you feel so ill. You can't work like that.

Before leaving though, do you have an H&S workplace rep who may be able to prompt some action from management?

I think it's fine to look for another job, I've done it when it was too cold, it made me miserable and I'm much happier now

I totally couldn’t hack that. Our office is about 21.

surely whoever pays the bill will fall off their chair when they get the heating bill

but ywnbu to look for another job. Or is working remotely an option?

They will learn the hard way when you all go down with colds. From having t keep going from very cold air into very warm air and vice versa.

Yep, I’m one.

I’m fine with the heat outside. It’s just the heat inside that’s the issue.

21 all year round is an ideal temperature

Same!

If it is too uncomfortable for you then do leave. I've done, so has this PP. I like to be toasty but got to the point I was dressed as the Michelin Man to stay warm and not fall asleep.

My line managers have been good and will support me working at home.

i dont want to give too many details away but I am the H&S employee rep but not sure what it entails

I work in freezing air con but used to work in a hot office with no air con and remember how horrible it was