Introduction,
As temperatures rise outside, the chill of overly air-conditioned workplaces becomes a familiar challenge for many, especially women. Often jokingly referred to as "women’s winter," this phenomenon highlights a deeper issue rooted in biology and social norms. Research suggests that women tend to be more sensitive to cold than men due to factors like lower metabolic rates and body composition. But the consequences of this gendered experience go beyond discomfort, temperature can significantly impact productivity and well-being. Could simply adjusting indoor temperatures lead to happier, more productive workers?
The Gendered Chill, Biology at Play
It’s a common scene in offices worldwide: women bundled in sweaters and scarves while men sit comfortably in short sleeves. This isn’t just a matter of fashion or individual preference; science suggests there are biological reasons behind this difference. Women’s bodies tend to burn fewer calories at rest, producing less internal heat compared to men. This lower metabolic rate, combined with differences in body fat distribution and muscle mass, contributes to why women often feel colder.
Research supports this: women, on average, report being comfortable at higher temperatures than men. A study by Chang and Kajackaite found that women perform better on cognitive tasks like math and verbal reasoning when the temperature is warmer, while men tend to excel in cooler conditions isn’t just an office phenomenon either, whether at home, outdoors, or in other environments, studies consistently show that women are more sensitive to cold than men .
But about biology? Some scientists argue that the issue might not be as clear-cut. A 2024 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that while gender plays a role, other factors like body size, muscle mass, and fat distribution are more important in determining individual temperature preferences . In this view, men with similar metabolic rates and body compositions would likely feel comfortable at the same temperature. This complicates the common assumption that women are naturally more cold-sensitive simply due to their gender.
Clothing Choices and Cultural Norms
While biology is one piece of the puzzle, the clothes we wear also play a significant role in how we experience temperature. In many professional settings, men are expected to wear suits, jackets, and ties, which provide more warmth than the lighter clothing options typically worn by women. This discrepancy can exacerbate the feeling of cold for women in offices where the thermostat is set to accommodate more heavily dressed male colleagues.
This is not a trivial issue. As Thomas Chang, a business economist at the University of Southern California, explains, “If people aren’t comfortable, they’re not going to perform as well as they could.” The discomfort caused by overly cold environments is more than just a minor inconvenience—it has real implications for workplace productivity .
It’s also worth considering historical context of office temperature settings. Many thermostats in modern offices are calibrated to a model of thermal comfort developed in the 1960s, which was based on the metabolic rate of an average middle-aged man . As workplaces become more diverse, the one size-fits-all approach to temperature is increasingly being questioned.
The Impact of Temperature on Productivity
Temperature isn’t just a comfort issue—it directly affects how well we work. In a controlled experiment, Chang and Kajackaite tested how temperature impacted the performance of university students in Germany. They found that warmer temperatures boosted women’s performance in verbal and math tasks, while cooler temperatures were more conducive to better results for men.
Though the differences may seem small, average points, for instance, this subtle shift in performance can have significant cumulative effects in a professional environment. If employees are consistently operating in less-than-optimal conditions, even a slight drop in productivity can lead to measurable losses over time. “All you have to do is make sure your workers are comfortable. It seems like a no-brainer,” says Chang .
However, not all experts agree on the magnitude of the situation. Stefano Schiavon, an environmental engineer at the University of California, Berkeley, conducted a meta-analysis of 35 studies on temperature and productivity, including Chang’s work. He found that productivity only suffers significantly at extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold. In more moderate conditions, a small variation in comfort might not have as dramatic an impact as some studies suggest.
The Cold's Broader Health Impacts
Beyond productivity, inactivity can have wider implications for health. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can stress the body, triggering physiological responses such as constricted blood vessels in the extremities to conserve heat. Over time, this can lead to conditions like Raynaud’s disease, a disorder that affects blood flow to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes, making them feel cold, numb, and even painful. This condition disproportionately affects women and is more common in colder climates .
Moreover, working in environments that are too cold requires the body to use additional energy to maintain its core temperature. This added energy expenditure, though small, can contribute to fatigue over a long day at the office. In extreme cases, cold exposure can lead to more serious conditions like hypothermia, this is rare in workplace settings.
Rethinking Workplace Temperatures
If we accept that temperature can impact productivity, comfort, and health, what’s the solution? Experts suggest a more flexible approach to workplace temperature control, allowing employees to adjust their immediate environment to suit their preferences. Personal space heaters, fans, and less rigid dress codes could help workers find the balance that works for them.
Changing the air conditioning settings to accommodate more workers could also have environmental benefits. Schiavon points out that many offices use excessive amounts of energy to maintain overly cold environments, contributing to unnecessary fossil fuel consumption. “We are using a lot of expensive energy to make people miserable,” he notes. A simple shift to slightly warmer temperatures could help reduce energy consumption while improving worker comfort and productivity .
The future of workplace design may involve a more nuanced understanding of thermal comforting individual preferences and gender differences. As companies strive to create more inclusive and productive environments, something as simple as adjusting the thermostat could have far-reaching benefits.
A Warmer Workplace, A Happier Workforce
The evidence is clear: temperature affects not only how we feel but also how well we perform. Women, in particular, may benefit from warmer working environments, but the ideal temperature is a complex interplay of metabolic rate, body composition, and personal preference. As companies focus on improving worker well-being and efficiency, taking a fresh look at office temperature settings could be a simple yet effective way to enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. After all, a comfortable worker is a productive worker, no matter the season.
References
- Chang, T., Kajackaite, A. (2023). Temperature and productivity: A study on gender differences. Journal of Economic Behaviour & Organization.
- Kingma, B. (2024). Thermal comfort and body size: The complexities of temperature preferences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Schiavon, S., et al. (2023). Meta-analysis of temperature and workplace performance. Environmental Science & Technology.
- NIH Study Team. (2024). Body composition and cold sensitivity. Journal of Applied Physiology.
- Raynaud’s Association. (2022). Raynaud’s disease: Gender differences in cold sensitivity.