Why you might be wearing a sweater this summer

It shouldn’t be surprising to me when a co-worker sends me
a link to an article about freezing at work.

If anyone should get an article like this, it’s the girl
with the ski jacket on and the blanket draped over her
knees.

“Wow, I’m actually really comfortable in this.” Normally, it would just be one item at a time. (Photo by Alyssa Kleven)

The Washington Post took on
an issue I’ve been complaining
about (to myself mostly) since day two of my employment:
it’s too cold in here from June through September.

If I hear, “Why do you have your coat on? It’s 80 degrees
outside?” one more time, I’m just going to hang a sign on
my cubicle wall explaining how thermostats work.

While there are bigger things to worry about, like people
getting gunned down in Seattle and kids committing brutal
crimes, I’d argue that being comfortable is paramount for
peak performance. I can’t worry about bigger issues if I
can’t concentrate.

As it turns out, I’m not the only one donning long
underwear to the office-place on a sunny June morn. The
Post cites several woman who use space heaters, electric
kettles, fingerless gloves, heating pads, and several
sweaters.

In fact, I noticed both Linda Thomas and Brandi Kruse
wearing sweaters today. These are women who wear skirts
and stilettos to work. I laughed evilly in the corner as
I pulled up my wool socks.

I’ve inquired about Ms. Kruse and Ms. Thompson’s
heartiness, but they assure me they’re not rugged at all.
In fact, they’d rather suffer through the goosebumps for
beauty’s sake. Ech. I’m done impressing.

So why does building maintenance insist the temperatures
in here won’t change? It’s because somewhere along the
line this temp was determined to result in maximum
productivity while conserving energy in warehouse style
buildings. After all, we wouldn’t want heat stroke wiping
out the Seattle workforce. According to the Post, the
General Services Administration came out with new numbers
in 2009: 74 to 78 degrees.

There’s no way it feels like 78 degrees in here.

Alan Hedge, director of the Human Factors and Ergonomics
teaching program at Cornell University, told the Post the
reason it feels colder is because our bodies are comparing
the inside temp with the outside. It feels cool in here
on a warm day and balmy on a cold winter day.

Hedge has determined that the majority of people feel most
comfortable when they’re a little warmer. His optimal
temp is 76 degrees. Aah. Our thermostat currently reads
72, but it really does feel warmer out on the sidewalk.

Apparently some countries, like Japan and Great Britain,
have launched campaigns to set the thermostat at 82 and
encourage workers to dress coolly. Necktie sales, and I’m
sure nylon sales, have dropped.

So until the U.S. jumps on board with linens and loafers,
we ladies will either slog it out in chilly skirts or
continue to wrap ourselves in frumpy Snuggies at the
workplace. But please don’t ask us why we’re wearing
fingerless gloves while gazing out the window on a rare
sunny Seattle day. Or if you must, first take off your
jacket, tie, socks, long-sleeved shirt, and half your
pants.

By Stephanie Klein, whose internal thermostat might be
broken.