Years ago I read about a study which concluded that residents of nursing homes tend to live longer if they are allowed to exert some control over their environment: change the television channel, make a phone call, or set the temperature on the thermostat.
Apparently, some corporate executives believe that even the illusion of control will, if not necessarily prolong employees' lifespans, at least make for a more pleasant (productive?) working environment.
According to a news report from Denver, thermostats in some workplaces don't actually regulate temperatures but are non-functional adornments installed on the walls solely to give employees the impression that they have climate control.
The ACLU is not likely to be up in arms about this any time soon, but arguably this is a deceptive practice by employers that -- who knows -- may be in violation of some law somewhere.