As temperatures across the UK climb into the 30s Celsius, millions of workers face sweltering conditions in offices, factories, and other workplaces. The question on many minds is whether employees have a legal right to stop working when it gets too hot. The answer may surprise many: there is currently no legal maximum working temperature in the UK.
No Legal Upper Limit
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there is 'no meaningful upper limit' for workplace temperatures. This is because some industries, such as bakeries, foundries, and glassworks, routinely operate in far hotter conditions than a typical office. The law instead requires employers to ensure that workplace temperatures are 'reasonable' during working hours, but it does not define a specific temperature at which staff can automatically leave work.
Employer Responsibilities
Despite the lack of a maximum temperature, employers still have a legal duty to protect workers under health and safety legislation. The HSE states that businesses must maintain 'thermal comfort' for employees. This can include measures such as improving ventilation, providing access to drinking water, adjusting working hours, relaxing dress codes, or carrying out risk assessments during periods of extreme heat. Government-backed guidance emphasises that employers should assess workplace risks and take reasonable steps to reduce them where necessary.
Workers' Rights in Extreme Heat
Workers who feel conditions have become unsafe should first raise concerns with their employer. However, under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees may be protected if they leave or refuse to return to a workplace where they reasonably believe there is a 'serious and imminent danger' that cannot be avoided. This could apply in extreme heat scenarios, but the threshold is high and would require a genuine belief of danger.
Current Heatwave Context
The warning comes as parts of the UK face another spell of extreme heat, with forecasters predicting temperatures well into the 30s Celsius. Health officials have urged people to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day, and take precautions against heat-related illness. While there is no official temperature at which work must stop, experts say employers cannot ignore soaring temperatures. If the heat is affecting workers' health, safety, or ability to carry out their jobs, businesses are expected to take reasonable action to keep staff protected.
