Your legal rights to leave work early if it’s too hot as heatwave hits UK
Whether you work in an office or work from home, you might wonder if you can legally stop working if it's too hot
Sizzling heatwave weather has hit the UK as heat maps turn bright red - and more sweltering conditions are on the way.
After a dire early June, the British summer has finally been kick started in earnest with highs of 26C in some parts of the country.
And after another sticky and warm day across the country, and highs of 31C forecast in the near future, many people are beginning to ask how hot it has to be before you can legally stop working.
TonerGiant has partnered with Peninsula to inform British workers of their rights when working in hot conditions.
In some countries, there is a legal limit defined in Celsius. For example, in Qatar, workers on buildings cannot continue construction work when the outdoor temperature hits 50C.
Such temperatures aren’t likely in the UK just yet, but what can you legally do if your workplace is getting into the high 20s or even 30C and your office is becoming baking?
There's a recommended minimum temperature for a workplace, which is 16°C, or 13°C if employees are doing physical work but things get a bit less clear when it comes to a maximum.
Unfortunately, there is no set maximum temperature as clearly defined as that in the law in the UK.
However, employers are expected to have ‘reasonable responsibility’ to keep a workplace to within an acceptable working temperature for people’s health.
And if you’re working from home, your employer has no responsibility for cooling your house, even if you work from home in your contract.
The Health and Safety Executive says about the hot conditions: “A meaningful maximum figure cannot be given due to the high temperatures found in, for example, glass works or foundries," HSE explains.
"The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. Regulation 7 deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that:
"During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.
"However, the application of the regulation depends on the nature of the workplace, such as a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse."
Stuart Deavall, Digital Marketing Manager at TonerGiant said on the findings: “Whilst most of us were probably hoping for a maximum working temperature so we can enjoy the long-awaited sunny weather, it’s important to understand your rights when working in extreme weather conditions, such as the heatwave we’re experiencing this week. It enables you to advocate for yourself, but also understand the legislations already put in place by your employer to ensure you’re working in a safe environment year-round, regardless of the weather.”
