Your Rights At Work During A UK Heatwave

Every summer, the same debate returns to workplaces across Britain.

“It’s too hot to work.”

Whether you are stuck in an office with no air conditioning, working in a warehouse, travelling on packed public transport or standing outside in direct sunlight, UK heatwaves can quickly make working conditions uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe.

But what are your actual rights at work during extreme heat?

The answer is slightly more complicated than many people realise.

Is There A Legal Maximum Workplace Temperature?

Surprisingly, no.

In the UK there is currently no legal maximum temperature for workplaces.

That often shocks people because there is guidance for minimum temperatures at work, but no official upper limit.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers must keep workplace temperatures at a “reasonable” level and provide clean, fresh air.

So while there is no exact legal number where employees can automatically walk out, employers still have legal responsibilities.

Employers Still Have A Duty Of Care

Under UK health and safety law, employers must protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff as far as reasonably practical.

That includes managing risks caused by high temperatures.

During a heatwave, employers may need to consider things like:

Providing fans or cooling systems
Allowing extra breaks
Relaxing dress codes
Providing drinking water
Adjusting working hours
Improving ventilation
Allowing remote working where possible
Reducing physically demanding tasks during the hottest parts of the day

Employers are expected to carry out risk assessments and take reasonable steps to reduce discomfort and potential health risks.

What Counts As “Too Hot”?

This is where things become subjective.

The HSE says there is no single temperature that is automatically unsafe because every workplace is different.

For example:

A busy kitchen will naturally be hotter than an office
Outdoor workers face different conditions from indoor staff
Physical jobs create more body heat
Protective clothing or uniforms can make heat harder to tolerate

Humidity, airflow and workload all play a role too.

Can You Refuse To Work?

Employees do have rights if conditions genuinely become unsafe.

Under health and safety law, workers are protected from suffering detriment if they leave or refuse to return to a workplace where they reasonably believe there is “serious and imminent danger”.

However, this is a serious legal threshold and not simply a case of feeling uncomfortable because it is hot.

In practice, most heat-related workplace issues are expected to be handled through discussion between employees and employers rather than people simply walking out.

What Should You Do If Your Workplace Is Too Hot?

If conditions become difficult, experts generally recommend:

Speaking to your manager or employer first
Reporting concerns formally if needed
Asking what measures can be put in place
Raising concerns through health and safety representatives if your workplace has them

Many employers are willing to make temporary adjustments during extreme heat once concerns are raised.

Outdoor Workers Face Extra Challenges

People working outside often face the greatest risks during heatwaves.

Construction workers, delivery drivers, gardeners, event staff and others exposed to direct sunlight may face dehydration, heat exhaustion or sunburn.

Employers should provide:

Access to drinking water
Shade or rest areas where possible
Suitable breaks
Adjusted schedules during peak heat

The HSE specifically highlights outdoor working as an area where employers must manage weather-related risks.

What About Office Dress Codes?

One of the biggest complaints during heatwaves is formal office clothing.

While employers can set dress codes, many businesses now temporarily relax them during extreme temperatures.

That might mean allowing:

Short sleeves
More casual clothing
Removing ties or jackets
Lighter fabrics

Again, there is no specific law requiring this, but many employers recognise that comfort affects productivity and wellbeing.

Heatwaves Are Becoming More Common

One reason this conversation keeps growing is because UK summers are changing.

Recent years have brought repeated periods of unusually high temperatures, and many British buildings simply were not designed for extreme heat.

Calls for a legal maximum workplace temperature continue to grow, particularly from unions and campaign groups.

But for now, the law still relies on the idea of “reasonable” working conditions rather than fixed temperature limits.

The Bottom Line

There may not be an official maximum workplace temperature in the UK, but employers still have legal responsibilities during heatwaves.

Staff should not be expected to work in conditions that put their health and safety at risk.

And while Britain may still struggle whenever temperatures rise above 30 degrees, workplace attitudes towards extreme heat are gradually changing.

At the very least, hopefully we can all agree on one thing.

Nobody does their best work in a boiling hot office wearing a tie.

Over To You…

What is the hottest workplace you have ever had to work in during a UK heatwave?