Offices have 'no legal requirement' to keep you cool as temperatures reach 33C
The UK has been plunged into a heatwave with temperatures racing past 30C in most parts of the country.
Sadly, this has happened on a Friday, meaning millions of Brits are stuck in the office, looking through the window, and counting down to 5pm.
In the meantime, for anyone lamenting the fact there's no air con in the office, employers are under no legal obligation to keep office temperatures below a certain level.
Read more: Millions of UK households told to spend £49 before end of Friday
In fact, the law only requires workplaces to maintain a 'reasonable' temperature – a vague standard set out in the Workplace Regulations 1992.
While 16°C is widely considered the lower limit for a comfortable office, there's no official upper limit – meaning bosses aren't breaking the law if staff are left melting at their desks.
Psychologist Darren Stanton, who said: 'People's reactions to the weather are often driven by light levels, which directly impact our mood.
"Sunlight boosts the production of serotonin – the feel-good hormone – but excessive heat can have the opposite effect, leading to irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog.'
'In hot weather, it's common for motivation and energy levels to drop. To stay mentally balanced, it's important to stay hydrated, use fans or cooling devices, and take regular breaks, ideally stepping outside for fresh air or shade.
"Maintaining a routine and staying socially connected can also help ease extreme heat's emotional and physical strain.'
Richard Smith, founder and CEO of Office Freedom, added: 'When the mercury rises, employers need to think beyond the legal bare minimum. No one should be expected to sit through a heatwave in an office that feels like a sauna.'
'Simple things like ensuring good ventilation, offering cold drinks, and letting people adjust their hours can make a huge difference. If staff are too hot, they're uncomfortable, unproductive, and at risk of heat-related stress — that's bad for them and bad for business.'
It comes as the Met Office has issued a 13-hour thunderstorm warning as the UK heatwave ends with a horror blast of rain.
The Met Office says: "Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads.
"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
"Where lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
26 minutes ago
- New York Times
What to Know About Heat Waves
The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a hot one. Almost all of the United States can expect a summer with above-normal temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's seasonal outlook, with the Northeast and much of the West due for an especially scorching time. Here's what to know about heat waves and their causes. What causes a heat wave? In most parts of the country, temperatures must be above the historical average in an area for two or more days before the label 'heat wave' is applied to a hot spell, according to the National Weather Service. But the definition can vary by region; in the Northeast, it is defined as three straight days in the 90s or above. Heat waves begin when high pressure in the atmosphere moves in and pushes warm air toward the ground. That air warms up further as it is compressed, and we begin to feel a lot hotter. The high-pressure system pressing down on the ground expands vertically, forcing other weather systems to change course. It even minimizes wind and cloud cover, making the air more stifling. This is also why a heat wave parks itself over an area for several days or longer. What is a heat dome? As the ground warms, it loses moisture, which makes it easier to heat even more. And in the drought-ridden West, there is often plenty of heat for the high-pressure system to trap. As that trapped heat continues to warm, the system acts like a lid on a pot — earning the name 'heat dome.' In the summer of 2021, there was plenty of heat for the high-pressure system to trap, leading to triple-digit temperatures in late June and early July that killed hundreds of people in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
31 minutes ago
- CBS News
Chicago officials detail preparation efforts, offer tips ahead of this weekend's extreme heat
With the extreme heat approaching, pools and waterparks will be busy, but according to city officials, taking a dip will not be the only precaution people will need this weekend. Scorching temperatures and high humidity are a bad combo, especially when that's the forecast for three days in a row, making heat stroke a real possibility. On Friday, city officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, discussed the measures they're taking ahead of and during the first heat wave of the year. The city said it plans to operate cooling centers, but beware that many of them are only open on weekdays. In that case, libraries, park district buildings, and police stations are some spots where people can find some relief over the weekend. Officials also shared some alarming numbers showing how dangerous a heat wave can be. "Over the last three years, we have recorded 485 heat-related deaths in Chicago and more than 700 heat-related emergency department visits," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said. She added that men are more likely to experience a heat-related emergency than women. OEMC executive director Francisco Velez said they are monitoring the heat closely. "OEMC is working directly with the National Weather Center 24/7 to monitor the weather events and will alert residents if conditions worsen. OEMC is coordinating with city departments and sister agencies to ensure services and resources are available in response to the heat," he said. Mayor Johnson also stressed the importance of staying informed and checking on those with health conditions. "Over the next few days, make sure that we check in on our loved ones and neighbors, especially our seniors and those with health conditions, individuals with disabilities. We do have cooling locations all over the city, we have street outreach workers who are available as well to connect the unhoused Chicagoans with those resources," Johnson said. Doctors said seniors and anyone who takes beta blockers, diuretics, and sedatives are the most at risk. If you are worried about someone who lives in Chicago and can't make contact with them, you're encouraged to call 311 and request a well-being check.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Warning issued as 'monster jellyfish' spotted on Merseyside beach
A "monster jellyfish" was spotted on the Merseyside coastline this week, with the local council offering advice to people visiting the beach as the hot weather continues. With temperatures rising across the region as we officially head into summer, it is common for jellyfish to appear in waters around Merseyside, including Sefton which is home to some of Merseyside's nicest beaches. But one beachgoer told the ECHO how they spotted what they described as a "monster jellyfish" on Crosby Beach. They said: "You couldn't move for jellyfish yesterday. Every 50 metres, there was another one. READ MORE: Mum and daughter, eight, found dead at home READ MORE: Met Office confirm thunderstorms to hit UK in 13-hour warning "Most were fairly small in size, but one was monstrous, it was quite shocking to see. Some of them were on the beach, and others were floating on the swash. I'd hate for anyone to get stung while swimming or walking." A council spokesperson told the ECHO it advises people to avoid touching jellyfish that appear on the shore and to keep dogs under close control. A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: 'It is common for jellyfish of varying sizes to be spotted along our coastline during the warmer months. "There are a variety of jellyfish that live in our seas and while some may be harmless, some can give a painful sting. 'While we can't know for sure the type of the jellyfish from looking at the photograph, most jellyfish found in the UK do not cause serious harm. 'However, we advise people avoid touching them and keep dogs under close control while enjoying our natural coastline.' For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Join the Liverpool ECHO Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community to receive the latest news straight to your phone by clicking here. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here Try the Liverpool Echo Premium app and get the first month free
