Few things cause quiet tension in a shared office like the window, the blind and the heating. One person feels stuffy and wants fresh air; another feels the draught on the back of their neck. One likes the blind up for the daylight; another cannot see the screen. Nobody is being difficult. People simply feel comfortable in different conditions, and a shared room has to suit everyone as far as it can.
Talk first, adjust second
Start by asking rather than changing things. Before you open the window or turn the radiator down, check with the people nearby. A friendly question such as, would you mind if I opened this for a little while, gets a very different response from a window that suddenly swings open. Most colleagues are perfectly happy to bend if they feel they have been asked, and the mood in the room stays light.
Work out what each person really needs. Perhaps one colleague only needs the blind lowered in the afternoon, when the sun hits the screen. Perhaps another only needs fresh air for a few minutes to wake up. Often the real problem is smaller than the argument suggests. Small adjustments, such as moving a desk, angling a screen or keeping a jumper on the back of a chair, can solve a great deal.
Agree a simple routine that everyone can live with. For example, the window might be opened first thing in the morning and closed when people arrive, or the blind might stay half down during the sunniest part of the day. Write the agreement on a small note by the window so that nobody has to guess. A routine that everybody knows feels far fairer than a guessing game.
Give things a fair trial and then review them together. If the arrangement leaves someone uncomfortable, say so kindly and try a different one. Keep a sense of humour about it, because it is easy to get cross over something as small as a curtain. If you cannot find a solution yourselves, you can ask the person who looks after the building for advice. In most rooms a little goodwill goes a long way.
