SCOTLAND saw the hottest day of the year so far on Friday, with some areas reaching highs of 28C.
Extreme temperatures can leave many feeling uncomfortable or unwell, and could pose a health and safety risk at work if the proper precautions aren't in place.
While there's no law in Scotland which sets out a maximum temperature people can work in, workplaces are obligated to provide healthy and safe working conditions.
On Friday, the Scottish Trades Union Congress – Scotland's largest trade union body – encouraged workers to report employers who do not comply with health and safety regulations during the heatwave.
What are my rights?
Alongside a survey employees can fill out, the STUC relaunched its severe weather guide, which informs workers of their rights at work during periods of extreme weather and encourages people to ensure they have protections in place at their work.
It includes carrying out a risk assessment on climate change – which has resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events – as well as how to adopt a Fair Work Charter for Severe Weather, an agreement which was developed by the STUC and the Scottish Government.
The STUC said it was "turning up the heat" on employers as it encouraged workers to report any incidents of poor employer practise during the heatwave.
The body has previously issued guidance during other extreme weather events, such as Storm Eowyn in January, when it said workers felt "endangered" by their employers who had asked them to travel to work despite the red weather warning.
Commenting, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “There is simply no excuse for employers to play fast and loose with the health and safety of workers as temperatures look set to rise across the country.
“Every workplace should put in the necessary mitigations to ensure that the wellbeing of their workforce, ranging from preventing unnecessary exposure to the sun to cooling mechanisms inside office spaces.
“We are encouraging all workers to know their rights ahead of this weekend’s potential heatwave. They should not be put in harm’s way and we would encourage everyone to complete our extreme weather survey so we may turn up the heat on the bosses who disregard the safety of their workers.
