Acceptable office temp - not 51.4 F

[Anonymous]

My office is 51.4 degrees F this morning. I’m wearing a warm turtleneck and a down vest and I’m very cold.

Are there any guidelines for appropriate temperatures in an office?

[Anonymous]

Depending on where your office is, that might actually violate a local heating ordinance. Places that have them usually require buildings be heated to at least 68 degrees in cold weather months.

[Anonymous]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employers keep the temperature in the workplace between 68 and 76°F. However, OSHA does not require employers to provide air conditioning or heat


I’d ask to go home. This is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Or better yet, just go home - that is truly an extreme temperature and how can you possibly accomplish anything while you’re shivering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where your office is, that might actually violate a local heating ordinance. Places that have them usually require buildings be heated to at least 68 degrees in cold weather months.

I’m in Loudoun County.

[Anonymous]

Just go home and say unacceptable working conditions.

[Anonymous]

They must have windows hanging open.i can’t afford to turn my heat on and my house is 60.

[Anonymous]

I am usually freezing and uncomfortable in most air conditioned offices. That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

They probably turn off or down the heat over the weekend. Then it takes awhile to heat up the building. Complain to the higher-ups. Have they even switched from AC to heat? This is a big deal at our buildings.

[Anonymous]

OP, what did the office manager or maintenance staff say? I agree with PP, it is a difficult time of year for getting the programming right on the HVAC because it's been going back and forth between hot/cold.
Maybe it was cold enough last night that the cooling cycle is on and the temperature inside fell that far. I'm sure it will be corrected soon enough.

[Anonymous]

Did someone actually tell you they think that temperature is acceptable? I've been switching back and forth between AC and heat the past few weeks. Most likely it was set to AC because it was hot last week and it got cold over the weekend. Human error vs malicious intent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employers keep the temperature in the workplace between 68 and 76°F. However, OSHA does not require employers to provide air conditioning or heat


I’d ask to go home. This is ridiculous.

Heating an office above 70 degrees is a bit over the top and would be uncomfortable to many. This is commonly done in New England. Unfortunately, when above 72, I have to leave the building. On the other hand, I do understand that those with thyroid disorders need a warmer office. Regardless, 51.4 degrees F is too low unless doors to the outside are constantly being opened.

To me, anything in the low 60s is comfortable and reasonable so that those who are cold can cure that feeling by putting on a sweater.

[Anonymous]

OSHA doesn't have specific regulations for office temperature and humidity, but they do recommend keeping the thermostat between 68–76° F (assuming it's heat to 68 and a/c set at 76)

[Anonymous]

Be careful complaining because I bet this is what happened. Probably once they turn to heat, they have to leave it there. So it could be 80 degrees out and the heat is on. So if tons of people complain, you may find yourself baking in the heat next October.

Go look at the Blessed Sacrament thread about it being 90 degrees in the classroom because they switched to heat too early.

[Anonymous]

My office is in a strip mall type thing, and the HVAC is so messed up. 90% of the time it's absolutely freezing, 10% of the time it's sweltering. I wear sweaters/pants to work even in the summer and keep a thick sweater there AND a space heater. It's awful, and I feel you. I'm rarely there (hybrid) and that is definitely one reason.