How to interact with a coworker who thinks that he is the sole owner of the air conditioner and ignoring others?

Question

I am working with two other guys in same room. I have a problem with one who started working lately with us. Air conditioner is adjusted to 22 Celcius by me and other guy in consensus then this guy comes and increases it to 25 Celsius even without asking any of us like he behaves as if he is the sole owner of the AC. How do I deal with this kind of behaviour? I also sensed he is trying to provocate and forces us to do an angry move but we are not people like that. How should I approach this?

Some other office-sharing questions that might be helpful: "Convincing an officemate to keep the office door closed", "Coworker keeps opening blind which makes it difficult to see my screen" — David K, Jul 31 '18 at 12:11
Are you certain the thermostat even works? Most places I've see automatically set the temp and you cannot change it despite there being a thermostat. — Dan, Jul 31 '18 at 13:14
Just a thought, how were you and the other guy able to arrive at the consensus? Why doesn't the same consensus procedure work with the new guy? — Chan-Ho Suh, Jul 31 '18 at 15:49
"How do I deal with this kind of behaviour?" Did you even bring this up with him? — Stephan Branczyk, Aug 01 '18 at 01:02

score 12 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 31 '18 at 10:30

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I'd like to offer a more general perspective: there are quite different standards of preferred AC in different regions of the USA, in Europe, and in Japan. Generally, US < Europe < Japan in terms of desired AC temperature.

In the US I encountered cases quite a few times where people would carry jackets with them in 40+ degrees (C) temperature outside, because they had to put it on inside, at a temperature of 15-16 degrees (C).

In this situation, as a European, I got (once seriously) ill a few times, due to these temperature differences (despite jacket); so there is a serious health aspect to having the temperature that low inside (apart from the energy wastage, but that does not seem to be an issue in the US). Airconditioned indoors climate is not equivalent to outdoors climate at 15 degrees even when jacketed, plus one is exposed to it for prolonged periods while sitting a chair.

So, wherever the AC discussion starts, it should be kept in mind that it is not just one party who is uncomfortable at higher temperatures, but also the other one who might get ill at lower ones (despite clothing up!). The choice between who is going to be uncomfortable and who is going to get ill is what we are discussing here and empathy should go both ways.

Speaking of discomfort, it is also not clear why, during summertime, when one should be able to travel lightly, people should have the discomfort of carrying around pullovers and jackets with them by default to counter an overzealous AC (assuming it is enough to combat the AC effects).

That being said, in the present's OP case, 22 degrees would probably be reasonable even for Europeans (but perhaps not so for Japanese, who prefer higher temperatures).

As consequence, I suggest you take into account that there is a - possibly serious - reason for your fellow worker to prefer a higher temperature and discuss with them a compromise. By ignoring their position, even if you manage to impose your preferred temperature, you may be putting their health at risk (which also may explain their unhappiness in that matter).

answered Jul 31 '18 at 10:30

Captain Emacs

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Having worked in many very cold lab spaces and offices, people usually don't carry around a jacket in the summer - they just leave it at the office since it's the only place they need it. – David K Jul 31 '18 at 12:14
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@DavidK Yes, if you have a fixed abode, that is possible. Not so much if you share flexible space or are a traveller/visitor. – Captain Emacs Jul 31 '18 at 12:57
@JoeStrazzere Flu, which I extremely rarely get in my adult life. And I know that you need to get infected - but I do not buy the story that "it's not 'caused' by A/C" - of course, it's not caused, but it consistently (for me) creates the conditions that permit it to break out. – Captain Emacs Aug 01 '18 at 12:40
In biology, every individual has differing traits/weaknesses. I have read articles about hypothesised reasons why draft is worse than outright wind exposure (namely, it creates a cooling effect without creating enough of a stimulus to activate the body defences). Once I had to wait with a friend, who, as you, tried to argue against any evidence of sitting in cold drafts enhancing the chances of illness and convinced me it would be fine to wait in such conditions. Needless to say, I got the obligatory cold after that. Sometimes, Grandma is just right, no need for a Nature paper to prove it. – Captain Emacs Aug 01 '18 at 13:34
Probably one of you is talking about the flu and one about the common cold. – Nobody Aug 02 '18 at 09:24
@JoeStrazzere I have read quite a bit about that. And I have a life-long experience as to what I am sensitive to and what not. Would you tell someone who must avoid gluten to read up on "real causes of gluten-induced illnesses"? This discussion insisting on deflecting the problem with A/Cs & colds/flus in sensitive people reminds me of the eternal, futile discussions with smokers about the "non-damage" caused by passive smoking during the time the evidence was still (falsely) argued to be "controversial" (long before the public scientific opinion tipped and smoking was banned). – Captain Emacs Aug 04 '18 at 21:54
@JoeStrazzere I didn't realise it needs explanation, but gluten was an analogy. A gluten intolerance is mediated by eating, not draft, of course. Let's summarise again: I do not think there is major (and since you insist on evidence) controversy that draft by A/C and fans can lower the immune system; just recently I read a news article about that (again) and there is a good understanding of the mechanism. It may have different effect on different people. For me it operates as mentioned above. You will notice that I do not mention flu in the response, only in the discussion. – Captain Emacs Aug 06 '18 at 06:46
The issue I see here is at least for lower temperatures one can "clothe up". In part due to medications I become very easily dehydrated at warmer temperatures, and I would constantly get headaches and be totally unable to focus at 25c, no matter how lightly I dress. And there is only so lightly I can dress at work. I usually prefer around 19, but can tollerate up to about 21. (I live in the US but was born in Europe.) I suppose I am saying this argument cuts both ways. – Vality Aug 06 '18 at 21:03
@Vality I hoped that I signalled the ambiguity in the discussion in the response and that it was not intended as purely one-sided. – Captain Emacs Aug 06 '18 at 21:09
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@CaptainEmacs I agree you did cover both sides. I was just adding that one can get ill rather than just be uncomfortable at high temperatures, as well as low ones. – Vality Aug 06 '18 at 21:12

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 31 '18 at 07:52

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Embrace the power of cool.

Don't make a big deal out of it - talk to the guy and discuss a possible solution to the problem. Don't buy into his negative attitude, act like it's not there. Go for the compromise and set the temp to 23,5'.

If all else fails - you can try to change your working space or try taking it upstairs (which I don't recommend).

answered Jul 31 '18 at 07:52

Drakemor

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"Power of cool" - I like that :-). – sleske Jul 31 '18 at 08:08
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Definitely wouldn't compromise on 23.5... That's much warmer than standard for an air conditioned office, and two votes for 22, one for 25, I wouldn't go above 23. Also it's easier to get warm in a too cold office, than cool in a too hot office. – Phueal Jul 31 '18 at 08:17
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Change your vote to 19, then compromise at 22. – Comic Sans Seraphim Jul 31 '18 at 14:36
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For alot of people 22 is already a compromise... – Maybe_Factor Jul 31 '18 at 22:38

score 6 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 31 '18 at 14:15

I had the same problem once in a small office where we all had a room. We solved this problem rather easily by purchasing magnetic vent covers, and the person who is too cold simply installs them partially, or completely over the vent in their office to control the amount of cold air entering their space.

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 31 '18 at 20:11

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Just talk to them about it

We had a similar issue at my work and resolved it by talking about it. People who felt cold simply brought a jacket to work or switched desks to sit near a window, in the sun, or away from an AC vent. Basically, if you just talk about it I am sure you can compromise and come to a resolution. It is important to recognize that while they are not the sole owner of the air conditioner, neither are you.

It basically comes down to most simple workplace problems, if you talk about it and are respectful, 95% of the time you can find a solution where everyone is satisfied with the outcome.

answered Jul 31 '18 at 20:11

lukebeast887

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+1 for "while they are not the sole owner of the air conditioner, neither are you" – Captain Emacs Jul 31 '18 at 22:20
This should be the chosen answer. If you have a problem, you talk about it. – Rui F Ribeiro Aug 02 '18 at 19:43

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 31 '18 at 12:58

I would consider discussing it with your Manager, if this coworker is not willing to listen or compromise. Tell them that you are concerned it is leading to tension in your workplace. Hopefully your Manager will then discuss with everyone involved and define a clear policy for how the AC level should be set, which should put an end to the arguments.

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Aug 06 '18 at 09:47

Others have addressed how to handle this guy, but I just wanted to add that when it comes to comfortable office temperatures it's best to go on the cooler end of the scale.

It's easy to put on more clothes. Long sleeves or an extra layer. It's harder to take clothes off and cool down beyond a certain point though. Therefore people who prefer an abnormally hot environment can easily accommodate others, where as the opposite is not true.

How to interact with a coworker who thinks that he is the sole owner of the air conditioner and ignoring others?

6 Answers6