Calls for a legal maximum workplace temperature are growing as the UK experiences its second major heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching record levels and some schools closing or altering activities because of the extreme conditions.
Trade unions are renewing demands for stronger legal protections for workers, arguing that employees should not be expected to work in unsafe temperatures as large parts of the country face a red weather warning.
The debate comes as more than 1,300 people have signed up to take part in a “heat strike” organised by unions and climate campaigners, while temperatures of up to 39C were forecast in some areas.
No legal upper limit
Unlike minimum workplace temperatures, there is currently no legal maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK.
The Trades Union Congress wants a legal maximum of 30C for most indoor workplaces and 27C for physically demanding jobs. And the government’s independent Climate Change Committee recently called for a maximum workplace temperature to be introduced.
But ministers have rejected the idea.
The government said earlier this week that it had “no plans to introduce a maximum workplace temperature”, while business groups argued that a single legal limit would be difficult to apply across different sectors and working environments.
Matthew Percival, director of future of work and skills at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), told the Financial Times that a “common-sense approach” was needed because some employees had less flexibility than others, particularly those working on construction sites or in roles requiring protective equipment.
Employers still have legal duties
While there is no upper temperature limit, employers remain legally responsible for protecting the health, safety and welfare of staff.
Sue Dowling, a partner in the employment law team at Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy, told HRreview that employers were required to take reasonable steps to protect employees during periods of extreme heat.
She said the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 required employers to consider temperature and ventilation and to carry out appropriate risk assessments.
Dowling noted that high temperatures can lead to reduced concentration, confusion, drowsiness and, in severe cases, heat-related illness.
“Consequently, employers have a duty to ensure that their employees are able to work in ‘reasonable’ temperatures,” she said, adding that employers should assess risks carefully during hot weather and consider practical measures to reduce them.
Flexible working and additional breaks
Dowling said organisations may need to adapt normal working arrangements during periods of extreme heat, even where they are not under a formal legal obligation to do so. Possible measures include providing additional fans, relaxing dress codes, increasing ventilation, making drinking water readily available and offering additional rest breaks.
She also suggested employers consider temporary flexible working arrangements, including amended shift patterns and home working where appropriate.
“Employers are also advised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to liaise closely with their employees in such a situation.”
The debate is increasingly extending beyond health and safety concerns to questions of productivity and organisational performance. The World Health Organization estimates that worker productivity falls by between 2 and 3 percent for every degree above 20C. Additionally, nearly 23 million occupational injuries occur globally each year because of heat exposure, with outdoor workers among those most at risk.
Scientists and climate experts have repeatedly warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense, increasing pressure on employers to develop long-term plans for managing extreme temperatures in the workplace.
That raises questions not only about legal compliance but also about workforce wellbeing, productivity and whether current workplace policies remain fit for a warmer future.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
