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Shrinking the Camel

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Dear STC: No One Cares If I’m Comfortable At Work

Dear STC: No One Cares If I’m Comfortable At Work

Last updated on: December 22, 2009 at 6:34 am by JBW

Dear STC: No One Cares If I’m Comfortable At Work 2009-12-22T06:34:41-05:00 JBW

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Dear Bradley,

I feel stupid because I have to wear my winter coat every day while I’m at work no matter what the season. In the summer our building is air conditioned and it’s usually around 65 degrees at my desk when its 90 outside. Now that it is winter the building is heated to 80 degrees yet I’m still freezing because my boss opens his window even though I’ve told him over and over that the cold air bothers me! I have also complained to our union about it because I have a sinus condition. If I run my space heater too long I get debilitating sinus headaches or a sinus infection.

I don’t know what else to do. All of my complaints have fallen on deaf ears. No one cares if I am comfortable at work. Jobs are difficult to come by these days and I can’t just quit and go somewhere else.

Cold and alone

——————————————

Dear Cold and Alone,

That indeed is a challenging situation – something that most people take for

granted, but for you is tortuous. It is unfortunate that your requests fell

on deaf ears, but then again, how did you pose the problem? If it was heard

as whiny complaint from a hypchondriac (no offense, please!), then they are

more likely to blow it off. Another approach is to turn it into a

productivity issue. In other words, make the issue all about getting more

work done, making your boss look good, and having as few distractions as

possible.

Positioning the problem in a way that makes it look like you are really

interested in helping others do better might get someone’s attention. And

when you bring up the problem, be upbeat with a positive attitude – make

sure to smile and use plenty of eye contact when you present the problem!

Try again, and I hope next time you are successful!

All my best to you,

Bradley

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Dear STC: My Boss Tore Down My Whole Being.

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