To ask how you keep warm in the office?

[cadburyegg]

I work in an office 2 days a week and 2 at home. I find the office really cold. The thermostat says 20 degrees but I sit near a window which is usually open. The windows have to be open due to CO2 emissions.

This week I have been under a blanket, hot water bottle etc and I wear thick jumpers. Still cold. I have a heated blanket which I use at home but I can't take it into the office because there are no free plug sockets near my desk.

What am I doing wrong? What does everyone else wear to keep warm?

I know I am BU, I really feel the cold. No one else has this problem!

20 degrees if you're by an open window in winter ain't going to be warm, especially if you're sat at a desk. The ambient temp should be higher. Anything you can do about that?

Maybe some thermals? The uniqlo ones are quite good, I wear the leggings under jeans when walking outside in winter and find them comfortable.

Maybe just try and move a bit too? Like get up every 30 mins to keep blood moving.

You do sound very sensitive to the cold though, isn't there a vitamin deficiency that makes you feel cold? 20 degrees is not exactly cold, it's warmer than my house.

I spend a lot of time being pushed around outside in my wheelchair so I know how hard it can be to stay warm sat down all day.

Do you have a hat? They can make a big difference. Focus on layering your legs rather than your torso - cold legs make your whole body feel cold - make sure the blanket is tucked in around the back of your legs instead of only just over the top. Gloves help too as our hands are so sensitive so really feel the cold in them. Try fingerless ones that cover the first two knuckles if you can't type in normal gloves.

Do you perhaps have any issues with tiredness or anything else? I have hypothyroidism and b12 / folic acid / iron / vitamin deficiencies due to malabsorption and I always feel so much colder than usual and find it really hard to stay warm when my levels are out of balance.

Is there any chance you would be able to move away from the window - maybe find someone who runs hot who hates how warm they feel somewhere else in the office?

You aren’t doing anything wrong, you should be able to sit comfortably at your desk and not be cold. Get the temperature measured at your desk. What the thermostat is set to is irrelevant. If it’s below 16°C raise it with your employer (this temperature is part of Health and Safety Executive guidance). Your employer needs to provide a both a reasonable temperature in which for you to work and clean/fresh air.

If it’s above 16°C you don’t have HSE guidance on your side but you can still ask if they can move your desk or can you switch desk space with someone else? Also fingerless gloves make a big difference to me when the office window is open.