Almost half of workers (46 percent) complain that their office is either too hot or too cold, according to a CareerBuilder survey.
Fifteen percent of employees admit arguing with a coworker about the office temperature.
The battle of the thermostat is when some like it cooler in the office, while others shiver at the thought.
Values Driven Leadership CEO Bobby Albert said he eventually had to put a locked cover on the thermostat at his business.
“The summer office battle over the thermostat is heating up. I could see people walking in the door and they’re drawing their battle lines. I could hear the music playing in my head from a movie where a war is about ready to take place,” said Albert.
He said employees didn’t realize in order to keep a comfortable temperature in all parts of the building, they had to tackle temperature changes in different areas depending if they're impacted by the morning or afternoon sun.
It’s like when you’re freezing at a restaurant, but they’re trying to compensate for an overheated kitchen.
The solution—they adjusted the vents and let people bring in extra items to cover up, or personal fans. But, space heaters were not allowed.
“It allowed people to withdraw from the battle lines of this cold war that was taking place and everybody could get back and be the team that we really wanted everybody to be,” said Albert.
The correct temperature for office productivity is reportedly between 70 and 77 degrees—specifically 71.
OSHA refused to comment that they have a recommended temperature.