The First Facility Management Blog

In a survey by the International Facility Management Association, dissatisfaction with temperature tops the 10 most common office complaints. As a result, certain uncomfortable spots in the facility (conference rooms are a frequent culprit because of irregular usage patterns) are often avoided, while staff opt to meet in more temperate–but unlikely–zones (restrooms, kitchens, copier rooms are some good examples).

Most seasoned facility professionals are well aware of this statistic, but few realize that chilly office temperatures can lead to trouble in the workplace. As a result, companies are finding ways to compromise between hot and cold employees.

From bringing flannel pajamas to the office to keeping space heaters running by their desks [a trick practiced year-round by one of our very own FacilityBlog Contributors], workers find numerous ways to battle uncomfortable office temperatures. Some firms install dummy thermostats so workers think they have control over the temperature.

The battle over the thermostat is not only a source of workplace arguments, but it is one that has an impact on the bottom line. When office temperatures were turned up from 68˚F to 77˚F, typing errors fell 44% and overall typing output rose 150%, USA Today said, citing a 2004 Cornell University study. That translates into about an extra $2 per worker in productivity when temperatures are turned up.