There's no legal maximum workplace temperature, but you can ignore the heat.
- HRNews
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The facts
A common myth is that work has to stop once it hits a certain temperature. It doesn't. There's no legal maximum (or minimum) workplace temperature in the UK. HSE guidance suggests a minimum of 16°C for desk work, or 13°C for physically demanding work, but there's nothing at the top end. What you do have is a clear legal duty to keep the workplace reasonable and safe under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and that duty very much applies when it's hot.
What does it mean for you?
When the temperature climbs, you're expected to assess the risk and take reasonably practicable steps. Plenty of them are quick and cheap:
Relax the dress code. Loose, breathable clothing and flexibility on uniform items make an immediate difference.
Provide fans, cold water and shade, keep blinds down, move workstations out of direct sun and allow extra breaks. Check in on outdoor workers and homeworkers too, not just the people in the office.
Be flexible on hours. Early starts and finishes, or temporary homeworking, let people dodge the worst of the heat and any travel disruption.
Some staff feel it more than others. Menopausal employees, pregnant employees and people with conditions like arthritis, skin conditions or heat sensitivity can find a heatwave genuinely hard going. Don't assume what they need, ask them. For pregnant staff, a risk assessment should set out what's required, and in extreme cases that might mean sending someone home.
One on the horizon: in May 2026 the Climate Change Committee recommended the Government set a maximum workplace temperature. Nothing has changed in law yet, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
How Lansbury HR can help?
We can put a simple hot-weather plan and risk assessment in place, sort out sensible dress code and flexibility policies, and make sure your support for menopausal, pregnant and other affected staff is solid before the next heatwave hits.
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