ChatterBank1 min ago
air con in the office...
my partner sits beneath an air con unit in here office. The air flow is constantly on her. She has started getting muscle pains in her shoulder. When she leaves the office her muscles in her shoulders and back stiffen, so much that at times it has a detrimental effect on her beathing. Could this be the air con? I feel that the air con is having this effect on her, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought.
She has complained about this to her bss, who has refused to move her. Problem is her boss is married to he MD. so there is no one else to complain to. What be greatful to hear your thoughts around this muscle pain and if you think it could be linked to the air con hitting her constantly.
Ta
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I would say this could be having an effect on her health. There is someone she can complain to....
http://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/index.htm
I also strongly recommend your wife visit her GP.
Has anyone else complained or are sitting directly under the air-conditioning.
Your company have an obligation under the 1974 health & safety at work act, to take care of its employees, if your partner has complained {always best to put it in writing} they are duty bound to investigate full stop.
Is your partner in a union{helpful}, if not try to get some free legal advice, their could well be a link to the cold air-stiff neck, their could also be a required distance between the air-con and employees as i'm sure their would be a dis-comfort factor, once again try getting advice on the working enviroment, this covers amongst other things suitable working tempertures.
Good luck
Have you heard of sick building syndrome? Looks like it could be affecting your partner, have a read here:
http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk/rise/story/0,,1733437,00.html
I used to get this problem when I sat below the air con vent. It was right on my neck and I used to get a stiff neck. I went to the health and safety lady about it and she sorted it out but the company refused to turn off the dumb thing! In the middle of summer we were using scarfs!!!!
Just because the MD is her boss's wife it doesn't mean he can't take her seriously. Thats one of the conditions of working with a partner.. never let it get in the way of work. If he doesn't take her seriously then you can go to HR about it. But for now I would tell the MD or Health and Safety and I would let them know that if it isn't sorted.. she might end up coming in in a neck brace and billing them for her new chiropractor!
I had this exact problem at my old job (althoug it never affected my breathing). I was sitting in a draught all day, got stiff neck and shoulders and would have to huddle in front of heater when I got home to warm my body through!. Complained to everyone, officer in charge of building, personel, occupational health, head of dept. Nothing was done. I changed jobs in the end. I feel sorry for your partner. It's horrible. Sorry, my post isn't of much use. Just saying that unless it is affecting those you complain to themselves they seem to think you're just a bit nesh and feel the cold too much!
This happened to my colleague and she decided to go to work in a scarf and after being told off for wearing it, she said she would take it off until they did something about the aircon, they never switched it off, but they did move her only after she had a hospital letter inviting her to go for physio, she changed jobs not long after though as there was always an atmosphere. What temperature is it on, ours is on 21deg, baltic! But I thought room temperature should be 24deg??
Tell your partner not to put up with it, you don't go to work to be frozen. Good luck.