The Met Office has issued a red warning for extreme heat across parts of England and Wales, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C on Wednesday and Thursday. Despite this, neither schools nor workplaces are automatically required to close, and the verdict on refusing to work or keeping children at home is clear: you cannot do so simply due to the heat.
School Attendance During Heatwave
For parents, the advice remains that children should attend school as normal if their school remains open. There is currently no legal maximum temperature for classrooms in England, and the Government does not generally advise schools to close during hot weather. Instead, schools are expected to manage conditions safely while continuing lessons wherever possible.
Many schools are already relaxing uniform policies, allowing pupils to wear PE kits or lighter clothing, while others may adjust timetables to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Lessons can also be moved to cooler parts of school buildings, and strenuous activities such as PE may be reduced or modified. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency recommends schools monitor indoor temperatures, manage ventilation carefully, and ensure children have access to drinking water throughout the day.
Headteachers' Authority to Close Schools
Headteachers do have the authority to close schools in exceptional circumstances, but any decision would usually involve discussions with governors, academy trusts, or employers. Parents are not being advised to keep children at home simply because of the heat. The Government continues to stress that attending school remains important for children's education and development.
Workers' Rights and Employer Responsibilities
Workers face a similar position. There is currently no maximum legal working temperature in the UK, meaning employees cannot automatically refuse to work simply because temperatures become uncomfortable. However, employers remain legally responsible for protecting staff under health and safety legislation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says workplaces must be kept at a "comfortable" temperature and employers must provide clean and fresh air.
Employment experts at Acas have made clear that, except in extreme circumstances, workers are generally expected to fulfil their contractual obligations while working with employers to find safe solutions. Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said workplace closures or situations where employees cannot work because of the heat should generally be considered a last resort.
Flexible Approaches for Employers
Instead of closures, employers are being encouraged to adopt flexible approaches, including allowing staff to work from home where possible, relaxing dress codes, and providing additional breaks. Businesses are also being advised to move workers to cooler parts of buildings, provide fans or air conditioning, and ensure employees have access to drinking water.
Outdoor Workers at Risk
The issue is particularly important for people working outdoors. The HSE warns that extreme heat can pose serious health risks if not properly managed. Employers are being encouraged to reschedule physically demanding tasks to cooler times of the day, introduce more frequent rest breaks, provide shaded areas, and ensure workers can access free drinking water. Staff working outside are also being advised to wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen to reduce the risk of heat-related illness and sunburn.
Travel Disruption and Advice
The heatwave could also cause travel disruption, with rail services particularly vulnerable to problems caused by overheated infrastructure. Acas has urged employers to be understanding if transport issues affect workers' ability to arrive on time, while commuters are being encouraged to check services before travelling. Motorists are also being advised to carry plenty of drinking water and consider delaying non-essential journeys during the peak of the heat.
Calls for Maximum Legal Temperature
The latest warning comes as climate experts continue to raise concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in the UK. Last month, the Climate Change Committee called for a maximum legal workplace temperature to be introduced, arguing that stronger protections may be needed as heatwaves become more common. For now, however, the verdict remains that most schools and workplaces are expected to remain open, with the focus instead on adapting to the extreme conditions rather than shutting down altogether.
