To ask how you survive this cold as an office worker?

[ColdToesandWarmHeart]

I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I am freezing. Down to my bones. I have a heating pad under my jumper and a blanket on me and I finally feel warm for the first time this week.

I have ordered a hot water bottle but I don’t know what else I can do. I’m freezing. I’m on Mounjaro so I think it’s that, but I’m just so miserable.

Nowhere have I implied that I think her problems are due to this week's cold weather.

I'm afraid you did, when you agreed with the only poster on this thread arguing that. I think maybe you agreed with that poster by accident, but she's posted throughout the thread telling people off for suggesting a medical issue and insisting it's just THAT cold. It's just the weather.

I'm sorry to hear your husband has had a fall. I hope you're both ok.

Hi @ColdToesandWarmHeart Please take in a thermometer. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a minimum of16∘𝐶 for a typical office environment.
If it is not hitting that then if the heating is faulty they have a responsibility to provide you with other heating equipment

It depends on the task - raking leaves etc, yes… weeding cobbles by hand or unblocking streams or pond filters, nope.

I’m also in Cumbria, so the wind can quickly sap any fleeting warmth in seconds if I’m on a hillside.

I did several indoor jobs before this (education); I’d not swap back for anything in the world- even on the coldest, wettest days.

OP myself and others have mentioned a portable electric heater under your desk which is what we use as our radiators at work aren’t the best is this not an option?

I think if you take your own electrical appliance into work, they have to approve it. I worked in the civil service and had to have my kettle approved. (I think it's for safety reasons.) Also, if other people in your office aren't cold, they might object to extra heat too.

It would need PAT.

At work:

The minimum temperature should be 16 degrees. This weekend get a room thermometer off Amazon and check, and if it's too low, start turning your energy towards getting it sorted out there.
https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

And as a long term strategy perhaps start looking at building the skills you need for getting a better job
that's better paid so you can get your own home and start living like an independent adult.

At home:

As so many have pointed out, the situation you describe is abusive. Not 'allowed' to boil a kettle for a hot water bottle? Your own property would be thrown out??

Abusive does not necessarily mean physical violence or verbal insults. It can involve creating a situation that's problematic, to say the least.

You don't give your or your father's ages, but if you're 17 and he's thirties that's a different conversation to if you're 50s and he's 70s+. Though I think you may have been living this way for rather a long time.

This is an example of boiled frog syndrome - where the person living it does not see it as the problem it is while everyone being told about about it thinks WHAT the heck is this???? No!!!

This from an NSPCC page on 'what is neglect?' It describes the neglect of a child including no heating. You're living like a kind of child and I think you've been in this situation so long you don't see it. We do.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/types-of-abuse/neglect/

I can think of worse jobs in very cold weather.

Quite.

You have quite literally described how I have felt my whole life! I run hot, permanently, whether I am thin or fat, and i've been both! I could never find a way to explain it to people beyond, I can feel that the air around me is cold, but I am not cold 😁

Thermal top and leggings under whatever else you’re wearing

Tbf most people are going to feel very cold sitting at a desk all day in 16 degrees. It's a different matter if you're moving around. So you because it's legal, doesn't mean the OP will feel ok.

You can't use electrical items in work that haven't been PAT tested for safety.
I work for the NHS and I would be surprised if your employer would test personal items.

My tips would be lots of layers. Leggings under trousers, knee high socks with a second pair of socks too. Shoes with a good thick sole so you aren't feeling the cold from the floor. Vest, long sleeved tshirt, jumper. A lightweight scarf, fingerless gloves.
Maybe buy a thermometer and measure the room temperature, report to works and estates and health and safety.
Ask what time the heating comes on in the morning. Our office is freezing in the morning but warms up through the day, I think the heating is switched off at night and at weekends. They may be able to alter the timer if you report a problem.

Heattech thermals from M&S or Uniglo

Tights and poloneck under whatever I would normally wear. Helps trap warm air close to your skin. Plus any other wraps to poke on top. The under layers help the most.

It's a bit the same as knowing that Brad Pitt is attractive, objectively, but not fancying him yourself. Only a bit the same.

It's funny, my husband constantly teases me for being cold.
I really feel it, especially on my arms. If my arms are cold, everything else is.

I need my house to be 22 degrees AT LEAST to feel comfortable with 1-2 layers, otherwise I need a big jumper on. He's walking around in a t shirt.

Everyone is different. I've always been like this. Interestingly I don't suffer too much outside. My big coat, hat and gloves always keeps me warm enough, especially with layers underneath.

My office is cold (Victorian stone building) and layers work, ski underwear, office type trousers over, thin jumper and chunky cardigan normally if below 8 or so outside, if very cold I have thermal snow boots for my feet otherwise I wear think double layer hiking socks and leather boots. I have fingerless gloves for my hands which are always cold (raynauds)

I agree. I don't know how people can literally spend the majority of their lives sat in a chair.

I'm thinking that surely a proper insulated fleece would be enough for most anybody working inside. I have an insulated jacket that keeps me warm down to almost zero degrees. I only have a t shirt and light jumper on underneath. Usually a neck warmer as well but I forgot that the other day and managed ok despite being a bit chilly.

Agree, no such thing as cold (certainly in the Uk), just the wrong clothes.