Differences in pay, lower employment rates, and systemic lack of respect are all widely known to affect women in the workplace. However, an often overlooked difference between female and male experiences in the workplace is the numerous micro-discrepancies that negatively affect the former. For example, women are subjected to office temperatures tailored towards men.
The norm for office temperatures across the country is approximately 71°F all year-round [1]. However, the research supporting this standard is outdated due to being based on the metabolism of the average workforce at the time—the majority of which were men [1]. Although thermostat issues may seem inconsequential compared to other gender-based disadvantages, they deprioritize women in the workplace because the relationship between physiology and performance for women is not being accounted for, whereas it is maximized for males. By further exploring this internalized bias, it is possible to uncover and address everyday micro-discrepancies between working women and men, which in turn can create more efficient companies with happier employees.
With regards to physiology, women and men have bodies that function optimally at different temperatures. The reason behind this difference lies in varying metabolic rates. At the same body weight, women are more likely to have a lower metabolic rate than men. This is because males tend to have more muscle and less fat than women, and those with more muscle mass often have faster metabolisms. Muscle mass burns more calories than fat during movement and at rest. Given that one’s metabolism provides energy for basic bodily functions, which includes breathing, digesting food, and circulating blood, a significant difference in metabolic rates will in turn impact bodily functions [2]. More specifically, a slower metabolism will result in less heat energy spread throughout the body. Thus, due to the structural differences between women and men, the former is more susceptible to the cold than the latter, prompting their need for a higher room temperature in order to perform optimally [3].
Due to the impact that gender has on metabolism, which directly affects energy levels, a question naturally arises: 'Does temperature in the workplace cause a significant change in productivity among genders?' Since men and women have vastly different metabolic makeups, it would make sense that different temperatures also affect their productivity and performance. To investigate the possible connections between temperature and gender-specific performance, researchers conducted a study with college students taking the same tests at various temperatures, ranging from 61 to 91°F [4]. The results revealed that higher temperatures correlated with the improvement of women’s math and verbal skills, whereas men experienced a decrease in test scores. Interestingly, the positive change in women’s performance was substantially greater than the negative change for men.
Not only does the environmental temperature affect an individual’s ability to work efficiently, it also impacts their morale and overall feelings towards the task at hand. According to a survey conducted by Software Advice, a consultant company that recommends software (including temperature control software) to businesses, half of their employees are dissatisfied with the temperature several times per month, whereas only 10% are always satisfied [5]. Therefore, adjusting office temperatures to suit more people would contribute to overall workplace happiness, which is directly proportional to increased engagement [6].
Given that women already face great disadvantages in the workplace, including being heard, having their commitment called into question, and obtaining access to mentors, companies should make the effort to alleviate some of their difficulties to help address not only gender inequality but also company efficiency [7]. It is crucial to recognize that these same challenges for women in the workplace likely burden girls in the classroom. For example, temperatures are catered towards boy students , which negatively impacts girls in the classroom, standardized testing sites, and other academic settings.
Consequently, addressing even a seemingly minor issue such as the temperature setting can help create a significant difference in one’s ability to work and general well-being. Although there is no perfect thermostat temperature that accommodates every body type, the specific needs of women should be equally addressed as those of men when making these types of decisions. In doing so, women will have one less disadvantage in schools and in the workplace, which in turn will help increase their potential to positively impact society.
[1] Adams, Chris. “Ideal Office Temperatures for Productivity,” Thought.Co, July 5, 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-temperature-affects-productivity-1206659.
[2] “Metabolism: What It Is, How It Works and Disorders.” Cleveland Clinic, August 30, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21893-metabolism#:~:text=Muscle%20mass%3A%20It%20takes%20more,have%20faster%20metabolisms%20than%20females.
[3] Martinka-Petersen, Vicki. “Why Are Women Colder than Men?” Health Enews, November 1, 2021. https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2021/11/02/why-are-women-colder-than-men/.
[4] Davis, Susan. “Study Shows Freezing Office Temperatures Affect Women's Productivity,” KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station, November 16, 2020. https://www.kut.org/2019-05-26/study-shows-freezing-office-temperatures-affect-womens-productivity.
[5] Burnson, Forrest. “How to Improve Employee Morale and Productivity Through Smart Climate Control,” Software Advice, January 28. 2016. https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/improve-employee-productivity-with-climate-control/.
[6] Moss, Laura. “Employee Morale: Why It Matters and 9 Ways to Boost It,” Everyone Social, February 16, 2022. https://everyonesocial.com/blog/employee-morale/#:~:text=Employee%20morale%20is%20significant%20because,employees%2C%20and%20enviable%20employer%20brands.
[7] Haas, Martine. “Women Face a Double Disadvantage in the Hybrid Workplace,” Harvard Business Review, March 24, 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/03/women-face-a-double-disadvantage-in-the-hybrid-workplace#:~:text=Extensive%20research%20findings%20have%20established,to%20men%20in%20the%20workplace.