Office/Work Laws

[eash]

Is there a law to do with the work environment for an office to be a certain temperature? It's freezing in my office, for some reason the air con is still on, and I want to show my bosses that I could possbily sue if the temp gets too cold....
Thanks

[redcrx]

I think it may be something like 16 degrees but of course that will feel very cold in an office if you are sat down and not moving.

Why not ask what the thermostat on the aircon is set at and ask if perhaps they may change it.

[JudgeJ]

It has to be 16 degrees C (60.8 degrees F) within one hour of start time. You may find that you are unable to sue anybody unless you are dismissed or have pay withheld for going home (which you are entitled to do if it is too cold).

[##Wardy##]

Don't forget the advantages of a cold office though regarding viruses. With the "Winter Sickness Bug" and colds and flu aplenty due to an Indian November/December it will be harder to breed them in colder conditions. When you are all snug and warm the various bacterium and airbourne viral combatants are rife!!

Can't you just wear thermals and thank your boss for being so Green and viral aware???

[redcrx]

its not very green if the aircon is on wardy :)

[Loosehead]

Yes it's 16 degrees, I'd be surprised if it's that low. We have no heating or air con on at the moment and it's 24, which I find compforable in my shirt sleeves but there are others here that look like they've just come back from the North Pole!

[##Wardy##]

The energy loss is the difference redcrx. Ergo, if it is cold outside and the aircon is running cold a lot less energy is used if it is hot outside and the air runs cool. Or if it is cold ouside and the air runs hot. Does that make sense?

But I would turn the bloody thing off full stop.

[Lknowsbest]

Jesus, my work is around 15 degrees most days, we have a thermometer on the wall. Sometimes it goes up to 16 or 17, but can i refuse to work when it is less than 16?