co-workers, sharing an office
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
United States
February 1, 2008 2:20pm CST
As I sit here looking out the window, very cold outside. The digital sign outside indicates it is 38 degrees, the snow is falling, it's grey and nasty out..........my co-worker / office mate turns on the ceiling fan!!!!!!!!!!! Geezzzy Christmas! My hands are cold, I have on a t-shirt, sweater over that and a long sleeved sweater over that and my suit jacket! How would you approach this huge situation? I had a space heater on, but he turned it off about an hour ago. Switching offices is not an option at this point..........what to do, what to do????????
2 people like this
4 responses
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
2 Feb 08
You dress warmer.
I have the opposite problem. I work with 9 other women who are all very cold natured. We've got the heater going so high that you can fry an egg on the kitchen floor.
I dress lightly. I wear short sleeves during the winter and keep a fan on my desk to counter-act the heat.
I don't dare wear long sleeves or a sweater as I'll roast for 9 hours.
You can ask if your co-worker can buy a portable desk top fan like I did. I bought mine from Wal-Mart for about $5. It's slightly bigger than a softball and it keeps me cooler when the girls in the office try to roast me out.
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
2 Feb 08
Thanks. Believe me, I wear so many layers, I feel like one of those little kids that are so bundled up to play in the snow, their arms stick straight out! Seriously, I wear many layers, lightweight, but usually a t-shirt, and two lightweight sweaters or shirts under the sweater. People laugh, but I know what I need to do to stay warm.
Maybe in the spring, when it gets warmer, I'll get him a little fan for his desk so I don't get blasted out then too. And, in the summer forget dressing for the 90 degree days outside. I have to keep a sweater in the office because these guys like it so cold, I can't stand it!
My Mother makes quilts, maybe I'll have her throw together a lap quilt for me :)
Or, I took a knitting class, maybe I'll knit myself a little lap/shoulder blanket!
1 person likes this
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
4 Feb 08
My co-workers all use those little ceramic heaters that you can buy at Wal-Mart for about $30.
I went shopping today with a friend and while my friend was buying sweaters and long sleeved dress shirts, I'm browsing the racks for short sleeved winter looking dress shirts. I absolutely can NOT wear long sleeves to work due to my cold natured counterparts.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Apr 08
I would ask the man if he is running a fever and if not would he mind turning on the heater because you will soon be a human ice berg and ice bergs cannot do business very will. then I would say either you turn on the heater and off the darned fan or I am going home and get warm.
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Thanks for the response. Well, the new news is this, I just moved this week to a new office with 2 women instead of the one guy. I think it will work out much better. The windows face another direction and the afternoon sun does not beat in as hard. I did feel bad for him though. Real nice guy. On the heavy side, that may contribute to his getting over heated a bit as well. We are still friends and I have moved on! Thanks!
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
1 Feb 08
This happens in my office quite often and generally men wear fewer clothes than women. If you feel cold and cannot stay cold for long as you will get sick soon. So if I were you, I would tell that chap I was cold and would turn on the heater for just 15 minutes...When people work in the same office, everyone should learn to put up with each other and be more considerate.
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I did turn on the space heater and aim directly at my feet. It's getting better, and I am packing up now to go home. I will put on my wooly slipper socks, flannel pants and warm sweat shirt(s) and watch the food network all night long :) You are right, we should all be more considerate when sharing space with others. Have a great weekend!
@cynicalandoutspoken (4725)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I would use being a woman to my advantage in this situation. I would tell him it is that time of the month for me and I was freezing and unless he wanted to end up a permanent ice fixture because I was thinking of impaling him on a street sign he had best turn the ceiling fan off.
But that is probably just me. :)
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
1 Feb 08
HA! I just turned on my space heater again, so we'll have a good mix of hot and cold I suppose! My nose is even cold! At least my feet are beginning to warm up a bit now. I would imagine I will thaw out from the bottom up! :)
1 person likes this
