The UK is in the middle of a long period of hot weather with little rain to be seen. The ongoing heatwave means working environments can be uncomfortable. For some, working from home since the pandemic changed our lives has been a way of improving their work-life balance, but for most that also means no air-conditioning.
Homes are also unlikely to be as well-designed for keeping temperatures down and that can lead to some pretty sweaty working conditions. But, whether you're at home or in the office, what can you do if the temperatures reach such levels that it simply feels too hot to work?
Check the weather for your area:
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lays down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. This states that: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."
There is a lower limit for temperatures which is defined as normally at least 16C, unless the work involves severe physical tasks in which case the temperature should be at least 13C. However, there is nothing to define what an upper limit temperature is.
What can I do if I feel my home is too hot to work in?
The Health and Safety Executive says that, by law, employers are responsible for the health and safety of all employees, including those working from home, so you should speak to your boss.
Speaking to the Independent, Tom Neil, Acas senior adviser, said: “With increasing weather temperatures many workers will find themselves working in hot conditions. In the UK there is no maximum temperature that a workplace is allowed to be. Rather, advice from the HSE states ‘during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable’.
“With so many people working from home, many will look to how they can keep themselves cool, purchasing a fan for example [though there have been warnings against using fans, for cost reasons]. As with other workplace necessities, the employer and employee might agree that the employer should supply them or the employee might already have everything necessary, or may need certain extras that the employer may be able to provide.”
Speaking to WalesOnline a spokesman for the Trades Union Congress said: "It's really important that people don't melt in the sweltering heat and employers show understanding for staff. It is a really important thing that staff speak to their employer, both show common sense and employers show understanding."
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