Two-thirds of office workers say workplace temperatures are uncomfortable

Almost two-thirds of office workers regularly find their workplace too hot or too cold, with many also reporting widespread energy waste, according to research from Uswitch.

The survey found that 64% of employees often work in uncomfortable temperatures, while nearly half (46%) said their offices swing between being too hot and too cold.

A further 23% reported conditions consistently at one extreme.

Temperature issues are not just an irritation, with 62% of respondents saying it affects their ability to work.

More than one in five (21%) said it happens often or very often, while 55% admitted to thermostat disputes with colleagues.

In response, many workers have resorted to personal measures: 42% wear coats and scarves indoors, 34% bring in fans, and nearly a quarter use heaters at their desks or leave early due to discomfort.

The research also highlighted significant energy inefficiencies in UK offices.

Almost a third (31%) said heating or cooling systems are left running in empty rooms, 23% reported systems left on overnight, and 34% noted that windows are sometimes left open while air conditioning or heating is running.

Overall, 62% of employees believe their workplace wastes energy, with 16% describing the waste as “a lot.”

Despite these concerns, 53% of respondents rated their employer’s energy management as good or excellent, though 39% considered it average or poor.

The majority (71%) said that better temperature control – such as automatic systems – could cut bills, with a quarter saying it would reduce costs significantly.

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, said: “These findings show that uncomfortable office temperatures are a real issue for many workers, affecting how they feel and how well they can do their jobs. On top of that, a lot of energy is being wasted through inefficient heating and cooling.

“The good news is that small changes, like upgrading temperature controls, keeping systems well maintained, and avoiding heating or cooling empty spaces can make a big difference to comfort and costs.

“Once businesses have taken steps to improve their energy efficiency, they can go even further by finding better energy tariffs, ensuring they maximise savings while keeping their workplaces comfortable.”