CATEGORY:One Size For Men

“What women want is for the workplace to be gender-aware,” says Hannah.

Hannah is a lawyer. Her office is in Singapore’s Central Business District, in a swanky office building. We sit in a conference room which I am sure has seen and heard many grievances being aired.

“People talk about needing to be gender-blind,” Hannah continues, leaning forward. “I don’t understand this. How can we be gender-blind? Men and women are different in so many ways. We need to recognize and accommodate these differences.”

“That is a fair point,” I say, while noting the term, ‘gender-aware’. “Could you give me an example?”

“I can give you many!” Hannah says, smiling, “but let’s focus on one for today.” 

A Cold Shoulder

“Let’s start with office temperatures. I don’t know if you are aware, but there is something called “Standard 55”, which is a set of guidelines created for indoor climate regulation. Most offices are designed to comply with Standard 55.”

“Wow! I didn’t know that!” I exclaim.

“Well,” Hannah continues, “then you also did not know that this standard was developed in the 1950s based on the comfort of a 40-year old, 70 kg man in a business suit.”

“Really?” This Hannah evidently knew much more than torts and claims!

“Yes. But what this standard does not take into account is the difference between men and women. Men expend more energy while at rest, and thus run warmer. Women have higher core temperatures, and cold air is jarring and uncomfortable. Also, men’s office wear tends to be warmer – ties, jackets, etc.; women’s office wear is lighter – skirts and dresses.”

“You know, this explains a lot!” I say. “In the offices that I worked, I would see the women wearing sweaters and shawls. It always seemed strange, because I did not feel cold at all.”

“And what did you do about it?” Hannah asks teasingly. “Nothing, I am sure!”

“Well…” I began, suddenly feeling the office temperature becoming uncomfortable.

“That’s the problem” Hannah sighs, waving her finger at me. “No awareness of how the other gender feels!”

A Win-Win-Win Outcome

“But, it’s not just about comfort,” she continues, “there is research that shows that colder temperatures in offices lead to increased illnesses among women, causing their productivity to drop. Also, a recent study proves that women perform cognitive tasks better in warmer conditions than in colder environments.”

“Wow!” I said again, “I did not know that!” I was repeating myself, like a parrot.

“And finally, given the global concern on climate change, the University of Sydney has calculated that bringing workplace temperatures up by 2 degrees will save upto 30% in energy consumption!”

Hannah’s words were forming an amazing picture. “So, you are saying that a slightly warmer workplace will lead to healthier women, higher output and lower costs and environmental impact?”

“Yes,” she says, leaning back, having made her points.

“Then, then…why has no one done anything about this?” I sputter.

“Because the world is not gender-aware. You have been a professional for 35 years and much of what I said is news to you! So, this is what I want – that shareholders and managers become more gender-aware; so that all of us together can accrue the amazing benefits from being so.”

As I walked to the MRT, Hannah’s words played on my mind, as did Sheryl Sandberg‘s famous words,

“We cannot change what we are not aware of; and once we are aware, we cannot help but change…”

Afterword

Isn’t it amazing? Just changing the temperature in offices by 2 degrees can lead to so many benefits –

1. More comfort
2. Better health
3. Increased productivity
4. Lower costs
5. Reduced environmental impact

Why was I blind for so many years?

I have to live with regret…

But to all you leaders and future leaders, you can do things differently. Please take a moment to speak to your women colleagues and listen to them. Appreciate the challenges they face and address them. You will not just change their lives, you will create a workplace that is happier, healthier and more productive. You will leave a lasting legacy.

If you want to transform your workplace, click like, and share.

Please share your own experiences. Together, let us start a movement that will shatter past practices and paradigms and make us aware of the better world that awaits us.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 10 December 2019)

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Post Script :

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