Can Employees Request to Work from Home During Hot Weather?
With the implementation of post-lockdown measures in the UK, most offices now have proper air conditioning and ventilation systems. However, the scorching heat during the commute to work might discourage employees from going to the office.
On a hot day, temperatures on London’s Central line can soar up to 37C, which is actually hotter than the legal limit for transporting cattle.
Unions have been urging employers to consider allowing employees to start and finish their working day earlier, in order to avoid peak heat times on public transport.
While working from home can be an option, it does come with the downside of a potential lack of air conditioning, especially for younger workers living in cramped shared accommodations like rented flats. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in a desk fan or request your employer to provide one.
What Temperature is Considered Too Hot for Work?
GMB Union has proposed the implementation of special measures in workplaces once temperatures reach 25C, as this is when “mental acuity trigger points” are reached.
Daniel Shears, the health and safety director at GMB Union, stated, “Working in high temperatures leads to issues such as heat stress, dehydration, and exhaustion.”
Although there is no specific maximum working temperature, the Health and Safety Executive, the workplace regulator in Britain, advises treating hot weather as a hazard.
The regulator added, “By law, employers must assess risks to the health and safety of their workers, including risks from extreme weather conditions like heat waves.”
It is encouraged for employers and employees to embrace flexible working hours, allowing for more frequent breaks, adjusted start and finish times, and even hybrid working arrangements.
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