Temperature: Always A Hot Topic In the Workplace

A new survey from IFMA, Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort, shows that complaints that workers are either too hot or too cold continue to top the list of worker complaints. Interestingly, numbers of "too hot" and "too cold" complaints are always equal. According to IFMA research this is always the case: These two issues often alternate in the top spot from year to year.
As IFMA notes, "Facility managers go to great lengths to keep facilities comfortable for workers, as this comfort is directly tied to worker productivity."
The most common responses from facility managers are spot-checking of temperature, humidity and airflow; verification that the building control system is working properly; and then, adjustment of the temperature control to improve comfort levels.
The most common occupant remedies for the situation include use of personal fans and space heaters -- perhaps not the best solution in these energy-conscious times -- as well as blocking vents, tampering with the thermostats and supplemental clothing. You can read the survey here.
Thanks to Eileen McMorrow for highlighting the survey in the latest issue of McMorrowReport.com.