Freezing offices spark debate among workers

 

Office workers wrapped in blankets to cope with freezing air-conditioning have ignited a debate over workplace comfort and energy consumption. PIC SCREENGRAB FROM SOCMED

KUALA LUMPUR: Office workers wrapped in blankets to cope with freezing air-conditioning have ignited a debate over workplace comfort and energy consumption.

A Threads post by user @_hafeyzahalym showing colleagues bundled up at their desks has gone viral, drawing thousands of reactions online.

"My office is a freezer," the user wrote alongside a video of staff working in heavily air-conditioned conditions.

The post has since garnered more than 18,000 likes and over 2,000 shares, striking a chord with workers who said they face similar conditions daily.

Many users said they move between Malaysia's heat and overly cold offices, often spending the workday shivering indoors.

Some defended the strong air-conditioning, saying it was preferable to discomfort from heat and humidity.

Others said temperatures in some workplaces had gone too far, affecting comfort and productivity.

One user, @arjuna.mir, said the situation was relatable but added that extreme cold could affect his ability to work.

"It's the same for me, but I don't like it when it gets so cold that it affects my fingers when I'm typing," the user said.

The post also sparked discussion over energy consumption, with some questioning the environmental cost of heavily air-conditioned offices.

User @amirasri91 said it was difficult to reconcile sustainability messages with excessively cold workplaces.

Another user, @tak.judge, said offices should aim for comfort rather than extreme temperatures.

"This is not energy-saving. They talk about sustainability and green energy. We only need a comfortable temperature to work," the user said.

The debate has split opinion between those who prefer icy office environments and those who struggle to get through the workday without freezing at their desks. - NST