If you’ve spent time in an office, you’ve probably noticed women layering on extra cardigans and using space heaters beneath their desks. Unlike at home, where they can regulate the temperature, office conditions often leave them feeling chilly. A recent study highlights that when given control over the thermostat, women would likely raise the temperature, resulting in improved cognitive performance.
In the ongoing temperature debate between male and female employees, a study published in the journal PLOS One adds significant evidence to the conversation. Researchers found that women’s performance on math and verbal tasks improves in warmer environments, while men tend to perform better in cooler settings.
The study involved 550 college students from Germany who completed various cognitive tasks, such as solving word problems, generating words from a random set of letters, and performing arithmetic. Temperatures ranged from approximately 61 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The results indicated that as temperatures increased, women’s performance on both math and verbal tasks improved, whereas men’s performance declined under similar conditions. Although the difference in correct answers was modest, study lead author, Clara Jensen, noted that even slight variations in temperature preferences can significantly affect overall performance.
Interestingly, men and women have comparable core body temperatures, and some studies suggest that women may have a slightly higher core temperature. However, how we perceive temperature is influenced more by skin temperature, which tends to be lower in women due to hormonal factors.
These findings echo a 2015 study published in Nature, which criticized the prevalent male-centered “thermal comfort model” used to set office thermostats, arguing that it is inefficient for accommodating women. This perspective was echoed by public figures like Gina Martinez, who labeled the colder office temperatures favored by men as “inherently sexist.”
“As we start at lower temperatures, we see a significant gender gap in performance on math tasks,” Jensen explains. “As the environment warms, women’s results improve, and the gap begins to close.”
My partner and I experience a similar thermostat tug-of-war at home, adjusting the temperature every time we pass it. Not only is this a futile exercise, but the eventual victor often ends up feeling uncomfortable. While this study may not lead to immediate changes in workplace practices, it highlights the importance of temperature in learning and productivity, so let’s just turn up the heat already; after all, we know women tend to carry much of the workload.
“Temperature could influence not only comfort levels but also everyday productivity,” Jensen added. “Feeling comfortable, whether with layers or without, can significantly impact performance, so it’s a factor worth considering seriously.”
This article was originally published on May 23, 2019.
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Summary:
A recent study shows that women perform better in warmer office environments, particularly in math and verbal tasks, while men excel in cooler settings. This research challenges traditional office temperature settings, which often favor men, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach to workplace comfort.