3 ms·

The specific Terry Thomas office build that's the topic of discussion is atypical, that's the point of the article. It sounds like they'd accommodate attire app

The specific Terry Thomas office build that's the topic of discussion is atypical, that's the point of the article. It sounds like they'd accommodate attire appropriate for the temperature... it's Seattle, wearing outdoor clothing to work is totally normal. And we have a very mild climate, so it would only be this hot in late afternoon for a dozen days or so each year. On such days I'd just say "I'm uncomfortable so I'm going to WFH the rest of the day." I'm pretty sure that would be acceptable for this architecture firm. It's never been a problem that I leave work early due to traffic from baseball games near my downtown Seattle office, for example. I totally understand that you have a different heat tolerance and physiological reaction to heat than I do. I'd go crazy exercising in a gym when it feels so much more stimulating overall to be outside, whereas mid-80's temperature with low humidity is just mildly unpleasant to me. But I respect that other's feel differently about it. However, the difference between 78 and your ideal temperature is probably not so great, especially compared to many other parts of the country with much higher temps and humidity. I wouldn't entirely discount the possibility that this Terry Building might not be as uncomfortable for you as it sounds. And if it did turn out to be unbearably uncomfortable for you, I wouldn't discount the possibility of working together with your team and management to find an agreeable solution.

greedo 8y ago
They say shorts etc are fine, but in the picture, I see a guy in a suit and tie. It's an architectural firm; do you want to meet customers with pitstains on your shirt? I'm sure some customers wouldn't mind, but most businesspeople who are looking for a firm expect a certain level of professional attire.
- tangentspace 8y ago
  I see a guy with a shirt and tie, but no suit jacket. A few other people have long sleeve shirts. I couldn't speak for them as to whether they are uncomfortable and sweaty, but based on personal experience hiking with long sleeves to avoid sunburn, high quality shirts can be very breathable and comfortable at temperatures around 78-80. I admit the possibility that this whole article is a puff piece meant as PR for this firm, and in reality they're all miserable inside but maintain a charade of happiness to hide from potential customers the fact that their heat chimney was in fact an engineering disaster. The simpler explanation, which jibes with my personal experience as a longtime Seattleite, is that it's just not that big of a deal to do without AC here as long as its a relatively small building and you get the airflow right.
syshum 8y ago
I dont think I ever stated my "ideal" temp, I stated what is tolerable to me as I am aware that I work in a building with others so compromise is a must When I have my own office with my own AC Zone/Controls it would be set to 62 Degrees. That is a significant difference from 78. My current office building has shared zones and sets the AC at about 73, it is bearable most days provided I do not need to do anything more than use my computer, even then I have a desk fan blowing air at me continually while at my desk. I am not however sweating or overly uncomfortable, the fan is able to mitigate 90% of my comfort. However it does not take much physical work in that environment to push me over the edge in to sweating. as to "accommodate attire appropriate for the temperature" the thing is some people might like wearing shorts, sandals, and a beach shirt to work, I do not even own these things. I don't wear suits, but I wear long pants, I wear a button down shirt and that is it. I do not believe an office environment should look like everyone is going to the beach. I am sure that is old fashioned thinking however, i believe Professionals should dress professionally.
- tangentspace 8y ago
  I've worked in a number of professional environments, and attire ranged from steel-toed work boots and rugged clothes covered with mud, to full suit-and-tie, and a range of in-betweens (but never beach gear). So I never associated attire with professionalism per se, although it is important to wear something suitable to the task at hand. What has not been so variable are things I'd consider more core aspects of professional behavior: * caring deeply about customer needs and expectations, exercising grit, determination, and ingenuity to satisfy them * understanding business concerns like cost management and delivering value to both investors and customers, striking a balance between competing demands * understanding and caring about teammates, working effectively with a team to achieve above 2 objectives. maintaining a solution oriented mindset. Here's how I might apply my interpretation of professionalism to the hypothetical situation that you were a capable coworker at Weber Thompson who felt uncomfortable due to the approximately 16 degree temperature excess on a hot day: propose partitioning off a space and installing air conditioning there for those who want it. I don't see any inherent technical obstacles or insurmountable business concerns in that solution. It would balance the desires of some employees for connection with outside air, without causing discomfort to others who for one reason or another have a different preference. Customers might appreciate the flexibility to make the space suitable for a wider variety of preferences, and ask if we can do the same for them.

greedo 8y ago

They say shorts etc are fine, but in the picture, I see a guy in a suit and tie. It's an architectural firm; do you want to meet customers with pitstains on your shirt? I'm sure some customers wouldn't mind, but most businesspeople who are looking for a firm expect a certain level of professional attire.

tangentspace 8y ago
I see a guy with a shirt and tie, but no suit jacket. A few other people have long sleeve shirts. I couldn't speak for them as to whether they are uncomfortable and sweaty, but based on personal experience hiking with long sleeves to avoid sunburn, high quality shirts can be very breathable and comfortable at temperatures around 78-80. I admit the possibility that this whole article is a puff piece meant as PR for this firm, and in reality they're all miserable inside but maintain a charade of happiness to hide from potential customers the fact that their heat chimney was in fact an engineering disaster. The simpler explanation, which jibes with my personal experience as a longtime Seattleite, is that it's just not that big of a deal to do without AC here as long as its a relatively small building and you get the airflow right.

syshum 8y ago

I dont think I ever stated my "ideal" temp, I stated what is tolerable to me as I am aware that I work in a building with others so compromise is a must When I have my own office with my own AC Zone/Controls it would be set to 62 Degrees. That is a significant difference from 78. My current office building has shared zones and sets the AC at about 73, it is bearable most days provided I do not need to do anything more than use my computer, even then I have a desk fan blowing air at me continually while at my desk. I am not however sweating or overly uncomfortable, the fan is able to mitigate 90% of my comfort. However it does not take much physical work in that environment to push me over the edge in to sweating. as to "accommodate attire appropriate for the temperature" the thing is some people might like wearing shorts, sandals, and a beach shirt to work, I do not even own these things. I don't wear suits, but I wear long pants, I wear a button down shirt and that is it. I do not believe an office environment should look like everyone is going to the beach. I am sure that is old fashioned thinking however, i believe Professionals should dress professionally.

tangentspace 8y ago
I've worked in a number of professional environments, and attire ranged from steel-toed work boots and rugged clothes covered with mud, to full suit-and-tie, and a range of in-betweens (but never beach gear). So I never associated attire with professionalism per se, although it is important to wear something suitable to the task at hand. What has not been so variable are things I'd consider more core aspects of professional behavior: * caring deeply about customer needs and expectations, exercising grit, determination, and ingenuity to satisfy them * understanding business concerns like cost management and delivering value to both investors and customers, striking a balance between competing demands * understanding and caring about teammates, working effectively with a team to achieve above 2 objectives. maintaining a solution oriented mindset. Here's how I might apply my interpretation of professionalism to the hypothetical situation that you were a capable coworker at Weber Thompson who felt uncomfortable due to the approximately 16 degree temperature excess on a hot day: propose partitioning off a space and installing air conditioning there for those who want it. I don't see any inherent technical obstacles or insurmountable business concerns in that solution. It would balance the desires of some employees for connection with outside air, without causing discomfort to others who for one reason or another have a different preference. Customers might appreciate the flexibility to make the space suitable for a wider variety of preferences, and ask if we can do the same for them.