ALMOST three quarters of British workers argue with colleagues over air conditioning according to new research from uSwitchforbusiness.com.
The research from the independent business energy broker,
uSwitchforbusiness.com found the unpleasant atmosphere for colleagues is made worse by arguments heating up when offices are too cold, leading to 'air con wars' raging in offices across the country.
USwitch found that 74 per cent of workers have argued with colleagues and more than a quarter (28 per cent) have regular run-ins over air conditioning being set too cold. Many workers reportedly shiver through the summer with almost a quarter covering up in the office to brave the icy air con.
86 per cent of people admit to moaning about the office air conditioning with 57 per cent saying that women are the biggest culprits for complaining that the temperature is too cold. North West workers appear the worst for 'air con rage' whereas those in the South West appear to be more laid back.
The USwitch research found that 72 per cent of British workers feel their office can never quite get the temperature right, with one in ten saying the temperature makes them less productive while almost half believe that air conditioning spreads illness in their workplace.
Although 61 per cent of people agree that being too hot at work is worse than being too cold, almost seven in ten people said that they would prefer fresh air instead of air con in their office.
James Constant, director of uSwitchforbusiness.com, said: 'Instead of cooling things down, gripes and grumbles over air conditioning are actually sending temperatures soaring in workplaces up and down the country. And we aren't just talking about icy glares and the odd cold shoulder - three quarters of us (74 per cent) are suffering 'air con rage', arguing with colleagues over the temperature control at work.
'These findings should prompt businesses to look into their own use of air conditioning and consider whether they are throwing away money on wasted energy when in fact many workers are too cold. Interestingly, almost seven in ten people (68 per cent) say that they would prefer fresh air to air conditioning so, depending on the premises, opening up the windows may sometimes be a better option. Ensuring that the air conditioning isn't too cold, or that central heating in the winter isn't too high, are just some of the steps that businesses can take to cut down on their energy costs as well as keeping staff happy.'
