Photo is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
Photo is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

A woman has shared her story of considering leaving her job because her company keeps the office air conditioner set to 28 degrees Celsius.

According to JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a TV news commentary program, the story aired Saturday, when a woman in her 30s identified only as A said she has worked at the same company for five years and is now seriously weighing a job change over the air conditioning issue. "About 30 people work here, and my colleagues are great and the work suits me well — that's why I've stayed for five years," she said, before explaining what pushed her to consider leaving.

A said the company only turns on the air conditioner when the outdoor temperature, as shown on a weather portal, reaches 26 C or above. Even when high humidity makes the office feel like a steam room, the unit stays off if the temperature reads below that threshold. And when it does run, the thermostat is locked at 28 C — leaving the office barely cooler than before.

"I thought running the air conditioner at that setting was pointless, so I brought it up during a meeting with my team leader," she said. "But the team leader told me, 'You just run hot. Haven't you gotten through every summer here just fine? Use this time to focus on your work instead.'"

She added that she is torn. "Part of me thinks it's ridiculous to quit over one air conditioner, but I'm genuinely worried I'll collapse from the heat. Am I asking for too much?" she wrote, seeking opinions from others.

Online commenters were quick to weigh in. "Check whether the CEO's office is also at 28 degrees," one wrote. "If you're worried about the electricity bill, just hire your own family," said another. Others offered wry comparisons: "Go check out the production floor — it's a furnace in there. At least it's not 38 degrees," one commenter said, while another suggested, "Transfer to a community center. No visitors, the AC is blasting and people are wearing cardigans."


jshan@heraldcorp.com