I (24F) work in a small office where we’re constantly short-staffed. One of my coworkers (29M) is notorious for blasting the AC year-round, even in winter, despite multiple people asking him to stop because it makes them sick. Management hasn’t really enforced any rules about it.
Last week, he turned the AC on full blast during a cold snap. I ended up getting really sick, fever, sore throat.
Now here’s the issue: while I was out sick, he asked me if I could cover his shift this weekend because he “really needs a break” and has plans he doesn’t want to cancel. I said no and pointed out that I wouldn’t even be sick if he hadn’t cranked the AC after everyone asked him not to. He got defensive and said I was being petty and that getting sick “isn’t his fault.”
So AITA For Saying No?
ESH. Being cold does not cause illness. Bacteria and viruses do. He didn’t make you sick.
And he’s an AH for controlling the environment for everybody in the office despite objections.
And management is an AH for not locking up the thermostat if it’s causing such a rift.
Agree with all of this, esp. the part about OP thinking that air conditioning causing illness. I didn’t realize people still actually believe this.
Management is also the asshole here for making employees responsible for having their shifts covered. It’s their job to ensure they have enough staff to cover shifts, not employees.
If you’re immuno compromised or have chronic health issues, cold or heat can exacerbate symptoms and make you more susceptible to catching an illness.
However, 90% of the population is not and she got sick because of stupid work policy and people not staying home when they’re actively sick.
NTA for declining to cover, YTA for blaiming him for the reason you’re sick. Existing in cold weather, especially indoors where it was probably 55 at the lowest as any lower would cause damage to the pipes is not in any way shape or form getting you sick
NTA. Some people have pointed out that it’s not cold that makes you seek, its. bacteria and viruses etc. But being cold does lower the effectiveness of your immune system and makes respiratory illnesses easier to contract.
Also, there have been academic studies that show that women are more affected by the cold than men.
NTA, but there was no need to bring up the AC in the context of covering his shift. You can’t cover his shift because you’re sick. Case closed.
The blasting of AC is a separate issue. Bring the issue to HR.
Being cold doesn’t spontaneously give you a virus. While cold can lower the effectiveness your immune system, you could have easily gotten sick at a normal room temp.
Plus I don’t think he could have dropped the temperature *that* much to cause lowered immunity. Even if he went extreme and made it like 55F, that’s still not gonna make people sick. There was a time we had no indoor heating and it was way colder than that in the winter.
But yes, somebody needs to stop this guy from touching the thermostat.
You are not getting sick because of the AC, that is silly. But he is definitely a jerk for making the atmosphere at work uncomfortable. The AC where I work has us so cold that sometimes it is painful and nothing we do brings the temperature \*up to normal levels.
I would not have said yes to him either regarding his shift. NTA
NAH. You don’t owe it to him, but also cold temperatures don’t cause diseases. You got sick all on your own.
Being cold doesn’t give you a cold. However, it could help to lower your resistance to germs in the area. But it’s germs that get you sick like that, not being cold. Being cold can give you hypothermia. Still, NTA. You’re not under any obligation to cover anyone’s shift, especially someone who hasn’t been receptive to your requests.
Nta but you aren’t sick because it’s cold. You have no obligation to cover the shift of someone who’s actively causing you discomfort but the idea that his AC is causing illness is laughable on a scientific level. Don’t cover his shift but stop believe old wive’s tales about illness.
NTA you aren’t obligated to cover anyone’s shift ever. But also cold air doesn’t make you sick. Viruses make you sick. AC isn’t a virus nor does it spread them.
Cold air does not make you sick.
You’re NTA for refusing to come into work sick, because THAT will make everyone else sick.
But the reason why you got sick is not the AC running. Bring a sweater.
How do people still believe that cold air makes you sick? YTA for not paying attention in health or science class.