Are there differences for office or outdoor work? | Heat-free in the office

Are there differences for office or outdoor work?

The employer has a duty of care and is responsible for protecting the health of his employees. For outdoor work, working in heat is not clearly regulated. Employers are obliged to protect the employees and to enable cooling measures, such as awnings, fans or drinks.

Is the employer allowed to change the working hours?

It is common practice to shift working hours under hot conditions. Quite a few employers introduce flexitime at the height of summer to enable employees to work in an environment where they can perform their tasks with concentration and efficiency. The shifting of working hours should be discussed between employer and employee and be acceptable to both sides.

It is also possible to agree on fewer working hours for correspondingly lower wages. If the work under the heat is unacceptable for the employee, other arrangements can also be made. These include, for example, that employees must take leave on days of the heat wave.

What must the employer do to reduce the temperature?

Above 26 degrees Celsius the employer should take measures to reduce the temperature. This includes the following measures: In addition, employers should relax clothing regulations in the office and provide employees with sufficient drinking water. If the effect is insufficient and temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, technical measures are indicated, such as air showers or water curtains, as well as organizational measures, such as heat dissipation phases. Under certain circumstances, personal protective equipment such as heat-protective clothing can be used for heat work. In the office, only some of the possibilities for reducing the temperature can be considered.

  • Closing blinds
  • Night cooling of the office rooms
  • Limit the operation of electrical devices to the bare essentials
  • Airing in the morning
  • Shifting of working hours to adequate times