Charlottechicken Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I work in a large open plan office. We have empty desks on the other side of the corridor space which are used for occasional training purposes. At the moment they are in use for the week I think. The problem is, as soon as the trainees arrived on Monday, they flung the windows wide open and put all the ceiling fans on. The office is not heated from 1st May until 1st October, and the training side faces north. The office is on a hill, with a great view of South Birmingham(!). It was very cold where I was sitting as all office furniture seemed to channel the draught in my direction. I am not very tolerent of draughts and they make me ill, I get a really bad pain deep in my bones, as well as frozen muscles and stiff joints, and as a consequence had a stiff neck and useless hand on Monday evening, as well as a glowing face from sitting in the draught. Today I went over twice to ask if the windows could be angled so the draught did not reach me but they could feel it, the second time of asking I demonstrated this myself so they got the idea It appears to be a problem to them that I have asked for the windows to be angled like this (not shut, if something annoys me I always offer a different solution so everyone is happy), and they keep reverting the windows back to wide open. My team leader says I cannot ask them to shut the windows (which I haven't) but a colleague thinks they are rude by working in our office and not even having the courtesy to ask if it is OK to do this, and I agree with her. I personally always adjust myself or my clothing and never open doors or windows without asking those directly involved. I had to sit in a now warm office today with a thick cardi draped over one arm and shoulder Am I being oversensitive, or, as my colleague says, are they rude? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 They are, shall we say, not being considerate to others, & as they are only temporary office people then they should ask you if it's ok to open windows/put on fans etc. Can you have a word with whoever is in cxharge of them to express your concerns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 At least they are being inconsiderate, at worst downright rude! I think you've been very polite, you didn't ask them to shut the window, merely pull it to a bit, what's wrong with that? I'd have thought your team leader should know you well enough to realise you were being reasonable, especially as you are now in a certain amount of discomfort. You have rights the same as they have, is there someone more senior you could have a word with or, as Jules has suggested, their teamleader? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Thanks for your replies, I am more than a little relieved to read it's not me They are consolidating their training now so no team leader with them. I will probably have to show them how to angle the windows again tomorrow (really not my style as I am not confrontational) as I doubt they will remember. No boss in tomorrow as my team leader is on a jolly to HO in Blackpool and her boss is out on a course too. I have had this problem in the past with colleagues who have desk fans for health reasons (including my team leader), and have had to ask them to angle the fans so they don't blow straight at me. It must be something in the water round here, this lack of manners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I'm not great with draughts either. I work in an open plan office and, like you say, adjust clothing to deal with it. My colleagues are considerate and we do tend to ask each other before opening or closing windows. I think your team leader is wrong. Why can you not ask them to shut the windows! I try to be polite but I tend to *snap* occasionally I think I'd just walk over and shut all the windows. Saying as I went "You don't mind if I shut these windows do you? all the draft seems to come my way" I'd probably regret it later, (and be embarrassed) So if you can bear it for the week, take an extra cardigan and maybe angle the windows before the group gets there or at lunchtime. you might feel better about the way you've handled it - even though you might be on pain killers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I think it would be one thing to open the windows if they were there all the time, but after you've said to them and angled the windows and they open them again is really rude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Frankly I think you've be way too tolerant. I'd have do my best female "Victor Meldrew" impression and blown a fuse. get together with permannet colleagues and ask boss to put up polite notice about asking before you open windows etc. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I just wonder if there is a health and safety case - I know we aren't ALLOWED to open windows because of some fear we'll all fall out - or something. Also, if you do become ill and your manager hasn't taken care, the firm could be liable. I'm based in an office in central Birmingham btw- and drive up from Oxford through South Birmingham. Not that I'm there very much as my job takes me all over ( I'm in Reading today...) Next time I'm up I'll shout to them to close the window as I pass by. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzle Knit Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 They are rude and your boss totally ineffectual. Plus, what the others said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Well, I'm with nochucksyet on this one. They are been intorably (sorry for spelling ) rude! This is your office and they are just using it temporarily? I would like to think I would of marched over and shut the windows loudly, letting my feelings known, especially after you have politely asked them twice. Couldnt you get some garden ties and wrap them around the window handles so it would make it very difficult for them to open them? This may seem a bit extreme but I just cant stand rudeness Good luck and yes, we are all with you on this *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 We have air-con units in our office. They're the type attached to the wall near the ceiling. They're rubbish because people directly under the unit against the wall get no benefit from them and so are always hot. My desk seems to be in the spot the cold air drops down onto so I'm always freezing, then the people the other end of the office are too hot because it doesn't reach them. Even in the height of summer on a hot day when everyone else is in shorts, I'm in jeans and a thick fleece. It's not fun. I seem to always feel the cold but wearing a thick jumper is the only way I can see to solve the issue. I'm sorry you're also experiencing a similar situation. Could they not just open the window a little like you suggested and then get a small fan each to increase the benefit for themselves without directing any of the chilly air in your direction? Maybe wearing a coat, fingerless gloves and a scarf around the office will get the message through!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I'm afraid that there are a lot of selfish and self-centred people around nowadays. The concept of considering those around you and working with them seems to be very rare. I am really saddened and shocked by this. You're nearly half-way through the week now Charlotte. I hope you manage all right. For what it's worth, I think anyone who walks into someone else's office and changes the status quo without asking is totally and outrageously rude. To continue to do it when they have been asked to modify things is even worse. Part of their training should be office etiquette perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I think because you are there all the time it obviously bothers you and quite rightly so because I know I would have steam coming out of my ears if I was in your situation. No its not you being over sensitive at all. Could you put a 'polite' notice on the windows for them to read? Some instructions maybe? Otherwise you could request to have your desk moved out of the draft maybe? Maybe if you do this your employers would take note about how much it is bothering you. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I just wonder if there is a health and safety case - I know we aren't ALLOWED to open windows because of some fear we'll all fall out - or something. Also, if you do become ill and your manager hasn't taken care, the firm could be liable. I'm based in an office in central Birmingham btw- and drive up from Oxford through South Birmingham. Not that I'm there very much as my job takes me all over ( I'm in Reading today...) Next time I'm up I'll shout to them to close the window as I pass by. Tricia I would agree with this. It's causing you discomfort and making it difficult for you to concentrate on doing your job well. Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Rude and inconsiderate! If they're going to behave like children, treat them like it. Don't ask, tell them to reposition the windows. That is one of the many problems of open plan offices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I am totally with you on this Claire - Ginette has summed it up well. If you make a formal complaint, then they will be bound to do something about it, especially if it's exacerbating a medical condition. I often have the windows open in my office (it's my age ) but I had a work experience lad in with me last week and I was careful to check if it was OK with him, and told him to feel free to close the window if he wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Don't stand for it. They have no right to inconvenience others in this way, especially as they are only there temporarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I'd be fuming if work trainees marched into my office and started rearranging things without so much as an introduction. It shows a lack of basic good manners and a complete lack of consideration for others. I would never open a window, alter a blind etc without asking my colleague if she minded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 Wow, thanks for all the replies, I really do sometimes think it is me with these silly old fashioned ideas , nice to know I'm not alone For the record, the staff are permanent members of staff from other floors, just using a space on our floor for a training session (the serial window openers are also all over 40) . Not sure how much longer they will be with us but I hope they are finishing on Friday. Today I was pleased to see when they arrived that the ceiling fans were left off and the windows which were opened were suitably angled , so much so that one person who had opened them got up at lunchtime and pushed one shut, she obviously couldn't take the draught she was foisting onto me It was the hottest day so far this week but really not uncomfortable in the office at all. The building really is a quirk of 1950's architecture, as I have worked on the lower ground floor, back in 2003 when I believe the summer was hot, judging by the attire of the folk walking outside. Unfortunately, inside it was just 14 degrees, courtesy of the office being north facing and half underground, nice We sat in our boots and gloves that summer Also, back in 1995 I worked in a small office on the third floor, with 11 colleagues, which got to temperatures of over 32 degrees before they brought in an air cooler (a box with a bucket of water and fan and straw bale in, as we found out when it broke down). None of these temperature situations were as bad as the draughts though. As long as the air is still I can and do tolerate extremes of temperature quite well. As I am a civil servant I doubt that any manager would agree I am in the right as you all do, I am probably violating their human right to make me sit in a draught, or something Tricia, I will listen for your shouts And yes, those of you who suggested it, my line manager is ineffectual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
