Problem with boss who complains about heating being on

poledancer49

Ha ha...loved the comments...I do wear two jumpers plus scarf on occasions. May bring my pole in then!!!!
Yes..he does sit in his office with heating on....I wouldn't mind overall if he was struggling to pay my wage for a job I do very well (not sitting here doing nothing!!) and there were general overall cutbacks but still enjoying his lifestyle..including him keeping warm.

geordie_joe

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

I think "reasonable" as a guideline is 16oC but this is not set in stone and cannot be enforced.

If the boss keeps his office at one temp, and other workers offices at a considerably lower temp then the law will assume his office is at reasonable temp and the other at well below reasonable.

NeverInDebt

How about this as an office for you




http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271973/Sick-colleagues-Why-work-bubble-Fantastic-French-invention-keeps-sealed-office.html

and this one for your boss

tuttifruiti20

geordie_joe wrote: »

If the boss keeps his office at one temp, and other workers offices at a considerably lower temp then the law will assume his office is at reasonable temp and the other at well below reasonable.

I'm sure that this is right as well...

I've got just one thing to ask, are you at work when you're on MSE as perhaps he knows you're browsing the internet and decides he should cut back to punish you (just messing) :rotfl:

theseeker1

I had fun reading the comments.

Does anyone had the gut to approach your boss about this situation before? If no one yet, perhaps you could try and speak to her/him about this issue.

Hope this help!

analyst_2

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

I think "reasonable" as a guideline is 16oC but this is not set in stone and cannot be enforced.

From HSE pages:
The regulatory requirements for workplace temperatures are set by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which replaced the requirements under the Factories Act 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963.
Under the regulations it states that the temperature of indoor workplaces should be reasonable. The Approved Code of Practice defines a reasonable temperature indoors as being normally at least 16°C unless the work involves severe physical work in which case the temperature should be at least 13°C.
Where there are requirements for workrooms to operate at lower temperatures, for example for food hygiene purposes you should refer to the chilled food advice.

The old Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 also required the employer to provide a thermometer to permit the workers to check the temperature, but I haven't checked if that has been subsumed by the 1992 Regs.

Hermia

Where I work the thermostat is controlled by a member of staff in another building. That building is modern and well-insultated with small rooms whereas our building is old and badly-insulated with large rooms. One year they refused to put the heating on as they said it was warm enough, but we could see our breath in the air when we breathed...

Rozy_H

Your boss is obviously concerned about the financial implications of having the heating on. If it is uncomfortably cold in your office it may be worth subtly pointing out that lack of productivity from staff due to the uncomfortable work environment may have far more financial implications if staff become ill and have to take time off due to colds and flu.

My advice would be to try and see the situation from his perspective, and work out what angle would be best to take to demonstrate the benefits to the organization for turning the heating on.
HTH

geordie_joe

Rozy_H wrote: »

Your boss is obviously concerned about the financial implications of having the heating on.
HTH

But not concerned about having the heating on in his office.

analyst_2

The regulations are enforced by the Environmental Health Dept of your Local Authority who you can make a complaint to and will make a visit, should you wish to venture down that route.

However, it has to be said, the 'legal' limit of 16°C would still feel pretty chilly for a sedentary worker and most reasonable employers recognise that it really has to be above this to provide an adequately comfortable workplace.

[Aside] I don't suppose anyone could get access to the boss's office when he is out and "adjust" his heating unit out of action?