6 ways to make sure employees survive the heatwave

Temperatures could reach up to 35°C tomorrow and so employers need to make sure that their staff keep cool and carry on.

While there is a legal minimum temperature (16°C) workplaces must not fall below, surprisingly there isn’t a legal maximum temperature. However, employees that are too hot will clearly be less productive, less engaged and lack inspiration and creativity. Therefore HR must do their best to keep their staff cool.

The TUC, who for many years have been pushing for a change in safety regulations to introduce a new maximum temperature of 30°C – or 27°C for those doing strenuous work, have issued six things they would like to see employers doing to keep they staff cool.

1. Clothing
Staff should be allowed to wear more casual clothing in an effort to make the heat more bearable. While it may not be possible for staff to wear shorts and t shirt if they regularly attend meetings with external clients, are public-facing or wear company uniforms, it should be possible to agree on a dress code that fits the corporate image and keeps staff cool.

2. Fans
If a company doesn’t have air conditioning then fans and portable air cooling cabinets should be provided for staff.

3. Air Con
Where possible companies should have air conditioning installed, but more importantly regularly maintained so that it doesn’t breakdown during a heatwave.

4. Flexible working
In an effort to help staff avoid the sweltering conditions of the rush-hour commute, flexible working should be implemented so that employees can have the option of coming in earlier or staying later to avoid the crowds.

5. Sunlight
It will be hot enough without the added heat of direct sunlight. Desks should be moved away from windows, blinds should be drawn and reflective film should be installed to keep the rays away.

6. Breaks
In addition to a ready supply of cool drinks, staff should be allowed to take frequent breaks as the heat will only make them feel more lethargic than normal.

Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, TUC, says: “It’s no fun working in a baking office or factory and employers should do all they can to take the temperature down. Clearly vest tops and shorts are not suitable attire for all front line staff, but those not dealing with the public should be able to discard their tights, ties and suits.

“Extreme heat can be as unpleasant to work in as extreme cold, and so long as the UK has no legal maximum working temperature, many workers will be working in conditions that are not just personally unpleasant, but will also be affecting their productivity.

“With temperatures set to soar this week, now is the time for employers to relax the dress code rules temporarily and allow their staff to dress down. Making sure that everyone has access to fans, portable air conditioning units and cold drinking water should help reduce the heat in offices, factories, shops, hospitals, schools and other workplaces across the country.”