how to handle FREEEEEZING office

[Anonymous]

Okay, so my office is bone chilling cold. The rest of the offices at my workplace are not even close to this cold. From what I have found, mine was built on as an addition and I think maybe they did not use insulation or something. The three big windows also probably are not helping matters. When it started to get cold out I talked to the woman who had my office before I came to the company and she said that she had the same problem, tried to put a space heater in and it blew out all the electricity - so now I'm not allowed to do that. Her suggestion was to keep a blanket on my lap. I just don't think a blanket on my lap is going to cut it. A snuggie, perhaps, but not a blanket on my lap. And obviously I can't wear a snuggie at work. Any tips on staying warm? I don't want to make a big deal out of it to my boss because I don't want to lose my private office... I just need it to be a little more tolerable.

[Anonymous]

1.) Any way you can invite your boss to your office for a meeting or something? Or maybe host a little party there after work for someone who is having a birthday/baby whatever?

2.) silk thermal underwear?

http://www.wintersilks.com/longunderwear/default.aspx?BRANCH=1~&sc=HF0SEMGL

3.) heating pad -- sit on it. Plug it into a surge protecter first so you don't risk blowing any fuses.

4.) very warm hiking socks, like SmartWool, plus warm boots

5.) hat

[Anonymous]

Heating blanket draped over your chair and around you when you don't have visitors?

[Anonymous]

Also maybe your boss would let you put that shrink wrap stuff over the windows? They really cut down on drafts from windows....

http://www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1259828

[Anonymous]

I like the heating pad idea. Also an electric blanket over your lap. Amazon has some great electric blankets.

[Anonymous]

There are heating mats you can lay on the floor. they produce radiant heat so not only are your feel warm under the desk but the rest of the office will warm up, too. (Get your employer to pay for them.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heating blanket draped over your chair and around you when you don't have visitors?

This is what I used to do. People called me Linus.

[Anonymous]

Once upon a time I had a freezing cubical. I bought a Vortex heater. There were girls huddled in my cubical every day. It was a good buy!!

[Anonymous]

Don't deal with this through your boss - do you have an office manager? we have a facilities guy and we call him for things all the time - he is awesome! HR might be an option. You don't have to make a big stink but most office managers/facilities people/HR actually do want the employees to be somewhat comfortable. It may be a simple fix they could assist with.

[Anonymous]

Similar issue here. The heating unit for our office is broken and the replacement part is apparently impossible to find. My company did purchase a space heater for my office that didn't impact the electrical system and was within specs under the fire marshal (must have auto turn off etc.) Personally I find the space heaters uncomfortable so I asked for a heating pad for my chair and an electric throw blanket. They are much more comfortable for me. Sure my hands get cold but I can warm up under the blanket. Its pretty hilarious to see me but since it looks like it may be a while before the heat is fixed this works well. I also leave an extra sweater in the office, wear layers etc.

[Anonymous]

Same issue here. I use a space heater.

[Anonymous]

1. Bring in a thermometer and fasten it to the window.

2. Call the office manager and ask him / her to come over to discuss.

[Anonymous]

heating pad. I currently have mine between my back and my chair. Sometimes I'll put it under my feet and slip my feet out of my shoes.

Lots of herbal tea. Stay hydrated. Silk camis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Bring in a thermometer and fasten it to the window.

2. Call the office manager and ask him / her to come over to discuss.

Ditto. It is insane that you are supposed to sit there freezing -- probably violating some worker code, too. Let them see for themselves what the temperature is in your office, and discuss a plan to use a space heater which will not ruin the electrical system. Who knows what kind of heater the previous employee used, but clearly it was not the right kind. I promise you there are other types of heaters which will not ruin anything.

[Anonymous]

Office Manager here. The problem OP may encounter is, the Office Manager is also the person responsible for dealing with a power outage if that happens. So not sure the OM is going to be willing/able to do much. Not that it's right, just that it might be the reality.