While the reply is something many don’t consider and is certainly thoughtful- it is also circumstantial. Are the majority of men wearing multiple layers? It would certainly depend on your industry. Lawyers and bankers, perhaps certain executives commonly adhere to more traditional suits for work- but most other fields from sales, business, accounting, middle management- especially technology and other fields especially that tend to be staffed by “younger” crowds- like technology- have strongly trended towards less formal attire.
Suit jackets are not part of every professional white collar workers wardrobe anymore by a long shot- long sleeved collared shirts yes- with short sleeve button ups and polos or the like being very common in offices today- and many offices doing entirely away with even the need for collars.
So if it were only an issue reported by women working at law firms and stuffy brokerages I might put more universal credit to the rebuttal- but it doesn’t explain why women in Seattle or Silicon Valley in offices where men can and do where shorts and sandals and even t-shirts to work, also often bemoan that the building is kept cold for their liking.
That said- is it sexist? I don’t think setting the temperature to one persons comfort level is sexist- perhaps it MIGHT be inconsiderate- but to call it sexist to set a temperature males seem to prefer would make it equally sexist to instead set it to a temperature most preferred on average by females right? The compromise of setting it in the middle to be too hot for some and too cold still for others isn’t really a win for anyone either beyond spite and principal.
So while the rebuke has thoughtfulness- it is also not universally applicable and can’t support it- that being said I do agree with the concept that it is easier to make oneself warmer than it is to make oneself cooler. Clothes and blankets and even a space heater at the desk can remedy cold- but it is far more expensive and less practical to strip at work if you are too hot or bring a portable air conditioner to work. I do not think office temperature need be or should be a social issue so much as it should be an issue for each office to discuss and decide based on circumstances.
I think you said it there at the end. It sucks to be cold but you can always add layers, but even in casual settings, there’s only so much you can take off. I think the office was kept warmer when I worked for a manufacturer than it is now that I work for a financial institution.
It’s also important to consider the differences in acceptable dress. Most settings allow women to wear sleeveless shirts/dresses. For men a sleeveless shirt is very casual. As are shorts, but women can wear dress skirts.
I think it would be different if it weren’t possible to get comfortable with more layers, but it is.
It’s also important to consider the differences in acceptable dress. Most settings allow women to wear sleeveless shirts/dresses. For men a sleeveless shirt is very casual. As are shorts, but women can wear dress skirts.
I think it would be different if it weren’t possible to get comfortable with more layers, but it is.