Working with no windows

@maezee (41997)
United States
February 27, 2012 5:08pm CST
They recently moved my sister, who is a home mortgage collector, into the basement of the building she works in. Now when I e-mail her, which happens several times a day, she is always asking me what is the weather like? It was incredibly sunny outside and about thirty degrees out when I went out for my first smoke around 10AM. It felt amazing outside, especially for February. It brought me to thinking that I could not WORK without windows. I love the ability of being able to look out them. I would imagine that a basement office has to be pretty gloomy. Do you work without windows?
2 people like this
13 responses
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
28 Feb 12
I am also particular with ambiance as well. I have never been in an office that has window hence it was always been gloomy. Even if it is sunny day outside it was like always dark inside. I really feel bad for this or becoming lonely. Unlike if there is window that you can see the outside at least you will be having a feeling of less depression. That is going to be good reflection for your work.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
28 Feb 12
I have never worked in that type of environment and I know for a fact that I would not like it. It would irk me not to be able to see what was going on outside. I like to at least know that I can lift the blinds or curtains and see what is happening. I have to hand it to your sister for being able to do it.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
11 Mar 12
A few years ago, when I got the chance to work for a really big company, one of the things I disliked about it (aside from the 100 miles drive one way), was the laboratory which I was supposed to spend most of my days. It was at the basement of the corporate building which didn't have any windows. I already hated the fact that I come in at 6am, and then there was the chance that I might not see the sun all day (I also had to work long hours).
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I used to work in an office at the basement of the mall. And, like your sister, I did not what what was going on outside except during breaks when we "surface out" and have whiff of fresh air. It was only a brief stint and during that time, not a ray of sunshine touched my skin. It made me very pale.
1 person likes this
@Lucas818 (377)
28 Feb 12
I'm working in a big factory, and my desk is situated 2nd level, and we're separated by cubicles which is about a man's height. There's a lot of employees in the office, although there are windows, but we cannot open them, as the windows are sealed. I have no choice but I have to work under this condition. Sometimes, I will go out of office just to feel the fresh air. :D
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Feb 12
Wow, well although I had countless positions where I can either see the light of day, or be bound to never know what the weather was like until the end of my shift, I can work without windows, though it would be kinda gloomy to not see life outside the workplace, but if I'm having fun and enjoying what I'm doing inside while I work (I work as a Stage Crew for a stadium at the basement) then it doesn't matter whether I have windows or not, as long as I;m comfortable, lol.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
27 Feb 12
I guess it would be rather gloomy working without windows, maybe a nive big picture on the wall would help her. or maybe a huge big cork board with all her favourite photos and pictures and dream pinned to it.
@GemmaR (8517)
28 Feb 12
It has been proven that we work better when we have windows, so your sister should mention to her boss that she doesn't feel as though she is able to work to her full potential being in the place where she has been told to work. Because there is a lack of natural light, it can mean that we feel tired and lethargic, and this can mean that we make some mistakes that we wouldn't have made at any other time. It is a shame, because somebody has to work in the basement, but it should really be somebody who's job isn't really important, as mistakes can be made.
@yanzalong (18984)
• Indonesia
28 Feb 12
How's the air down there? No window and closed door? It's just like in prison. I don't think I will be able to put up with it. Mine is open space. The breeze's far out, you see.
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
6 Mar 12
It definitely can't work in such place. I would feel suffocated, claustrophobic and depressed. I feel trap and like staying in a cave, especially if I need to stuck there from 8 AM to 5 PM. I love to work where there's a door and window, even just one window. I need to see outside, feel like there's a way out (although I am not going to jump out of the window)
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
28 Feb 12
Look, I had always done in past jobs in the shipbuilding industry, I have no idea what it means to work in the office. But I guarantee you that the office sector, is a trade that would love to do. In my opinion, I think I'd be happy all the same to work on the interior of an office without windows. In my city, nearly all the offices are housed in modern skyscrapers, with mirrored glass, where you can not open a window. However, there is a smoking area in those places (I think there is one for each floor). Then these modern buildings are equipped with air conditioning, so you always have a comfortable environment in any season. To conclude I can tell you that I could very well work in an environment without windows.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
28 Feb 12
I used to work in basement without windows, and yes I'm one of those who kinda can't live without sunshine... For me it's very depressing not to have some natural light. Even though the lights were always on, when I went outside it felt like kinda going blind. I would work without windows if I had no other choise as I can get used to it, but would prefer not to.
@smilemoon (766)
• United Arab Emirates
28 Feb 12
Well actually am working without it but for sure I preffer to open it to refresh the air.