South Wales enjoyed temperatures of over 26° last week, and saw thousands of residents packing up their beach bags and heading to the coast to enjoy the seasonable sunshine. Countless were left behind, however, as workers had to go about their daily business regardless of the beautiful weather, many of whom were in business attire that was less than heatwave friendly.
The Howells Solicitors team were lucky enough to cool off at Joe’s Ice Cream once or twice during the hot spell, and of course had our office fans amped up to the highest setting, but many employees across South Wales weren’t as fortunate, having to withstand soaring temperatures without any extra help.
But what are the laws regarding making employees work in extreme heat? Can employees be forced to work in certain temperatures? And is it possible to manage staff effectively in these conditions? Although this week’s weather isn’t quite as pleasant as last’s, the Met Office has warned that late July could see temperatures hit highs of 39°C, so businesses really do need to be prepared.
How hot is too hot in the workplace?
At the moment in the UK, there is no maximum legal temperature for a workplace. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that the recommended acceptable temperature for those working within the UK is between 13°C and 30°C, depending on the nature of the workplace.
This doesn’t mean that employers need not take note workplace temperatures. Employers should be cautious of high temperatures having adverse effects on employees’ health and also consider how uncomfortable heat can result in reduced morale and productivity, as well as in increased absenteeism.
In fact, a recent study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) estimated that during the 2006 heat wave when temperatures rose to more than 30°C, work levels dropped by almost one-third. This resulted in UK employers losing an estimated £168 million a day in productivity.
How to manage staff in a heatwave
Any businesses concerned about lost productivity or absenteeism during a heatwave should take note of the following tips:
1. Talk to your staff about the office temperature and find out how they are coping. Investigate ways to cool the workplace, such as fans or air conditioning, and consider relaxing staff dress codes to allow your staff to be more comfortable where possible.
2. Consider allowing staff to use flexi-time, work from home or take annual leave where possible without having a negative impact on business.
3. Buy your staff an ice lolly or ice cream to help keep them cool and boost morale.
Remember, happy employees really are more productive, so it’s in your business’ interests to ensure that you do your absolute best to maintain a pleasant working environment.
