Air Con Wars: Nearly 1 in 10 UK Workers Have Considered Quitting Over Office Temperature

As the UK Heatwave Hits, the Real Office Battle Is Over the Thermostat

While the sun scorches outside, inside offices across the country, the great thermostat war rages on. One side freezes under arctic blasts of air conditioning; the other sweats by sunny windows or stuffy vents. Sound familiar?

You might think it’s just a minor nuisance, but according to our survey of over 2,000 UK office workers, this clash is causing serious headaches — from tanked morale and broken trust to people actually considering quitting their jobs.

Watch:

@florencejamescollective Air con wars have split the office ? #officewars #aircon #coworkers #worklife ♬ original sound - Nelly Furtado

Why You Should Care About Office Temperature Wars

• They’re costing businesses productivity as workers struggle to concentrate
• They spark covert battles that damage trust between colleagues
• They push nearly 1 in 10 workers to think about quitting over comfort alone

Keep reading to discover what’s heating up UK workplaces, what the science says about temperature and performance, and how HR experts recommend cooling down the conflict.

Would You Really Quit Your Job Over Air Conditioning? Here’s What 9% of Workers Say

Office temperature disputes aren’t just background noise — they’re career breakers for some.

A shocking 9% of workers said they’ve seriously considered leaving their job because the air con was unbearable.

The battles go beyond words: 14% admitted to secretly fiddling with the thermostat when no one was looking. Even more revealing, 46% caught a colleague doing the same. It’s a covert war of control — and trust is one of the first casualties.

Why the Wrong Temperature Could Be Sabotaging Your Workday (Backed by Science)

This isn’t just anecdotal grumbling.

Our instantprint survey found that 2 in 5 workers struggle to focus when the air conditioning is blasting full force — a real productivity killer.

Scientific research backs this up. A Cornell University study showed that at cooler temperatures around 20°C, people made 44% more mistakes and slowed down. But when warmed to 25°C, typing speed and accuracy improved dramatically.

The takeaway? The wrong temperature isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s actively harming how well you work.

The UK Office Experience: Sweating, Shivering and Secret Thermostat Wars

Temperature troubles come in many forms:

• Too Cold: Over a third (34%) say their office feels like a freezer. Scarves, layers and desk heaters are survival tactics for many.
• Too Hot: Meanwhile, 22% say the office feels like a sauna. Sweaty clothes, constant window openings, and complaints about stuffiness are common.
• Inconsistent: Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) report wildly fluctuating temperatures — one minute freezing, the next boiling — forcing constant wardrobe and workspace adjustments.

Only 26% say their office temperature is just right.

These differences spark real conflicts: nearly 2 in 3 workers say they’ve argued with a colleague over the temperature. Sometimes it’s a full-on disagreement; other times, passive-aggressive notes near the thermostat.

Desk location matters too. Someone under a cold vent might freeze all day, while their neighbour next to a sunny window sweats — fuelling the temperature turf wars.

HR Expert Tips: How to Cool Down the Thermostat Tensions

Vicky Russell, Head of TX at instantprint, shares her advice:

“There’s no one perfect temperature for everyone. The key is communication. If you’re feeling too hot or too cold, speak up. It’s about more than just setting the thermostat — it’s about making sure everyone feels comfortable and valued.”

Here are four practical ways to ease the conflict:

1. Ask Everyone’s Opinion
   Run an anonymous survey to get honest feedback on temperature preferences.
2. Agree on a Temperature Range
   Set a fair band, say 21°C to 23°C, that everyone respects.
3. Nominate an Air Con Manager
   Give one person the responsibility to manage settings fairly based on group feedback.
4. Check the Office Layout
   Desk location can make a big difference — consider swapping seats for a better comfort balance.

Cool Heads Win: How to Keep the Peace When Temperatures Clash

Office temperature debates might seem trivial, but they reveal much about workplace culture, trust, and wellbeing.

From dips in productivity to people seriously considering quitting, the stakes are high.

Before you reach for the remote or tweak the thermostat behind someone’s back, pause and start a conversation.

Finding a comfortable middle ground isn’t just about staying warm or cool, it’s about respect, teamwork and collaboration.

In UK offices, whether you’re shivering or sweating, the air con wars are real, but with the right approach, they don’t have to divide your team.