Dear Bradley,
I feel stupid because I have to wear my winter coat every day while I’m at work no matter what the season. In the summer our building is air conditioned and it’s usually around 65 degrees at my desk when its 90 outside. Now that it is winter the building is heated to 80 degrees yet I’m still freezing because my boss opens his window even though I’ve told him over and over that the cold air bothers me! I have also complained to our union about it because I have a sinus condition. If I run my space heater too long I get debilitating sinus headaches or a sinus infection.
I don’t know what else to do. All of my complaints have fallen on deaf ears. No one cares if I am comfortable at work. Jobs are difficult to come by these days and I can’t just quit and go somewhere else.
Cold and alone
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Dear Cold and Alone,
That indeed is a challenging situation – something that most people take for
granted, but for you is tortuous. It is unfortunate that your requests fell
on deaf ears, but then again, how did you pose the problem? If it was heard
as whiny complaint from a hypchondriac (no offense, please!), then they are
more likely to blow it off. Another approach is to turn it into a
productivity issue. In other words, make the issue all about getting more
work done, making your boss look good, and having as few distractions as
possible.
Positioning the problem in a way that makes it look like you are really
interested in helping others do better might get someone’s attention. And
when you bring up the problem, be upbeat with a positive attitude – make
sure to smile and use plenty of eye contact when you present the problem!
Try again, and I hope next time you are successful!
All my best to you,
Bradley
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