With icy conditions something of a regular occurrence in most parts of Britain at the moment, employees may be complaining to employers about the temperature at work.

Contrary to popular belief, under UK law there is currently no maximum or minimum temperature requirement.  HSE guidance states that temperatures should be "reasonable" which is usually around 16 degrees or 13 degrees if the work involves physical effort.  However, employees may be used to the temperature they set at home which is often around 18-20 degrees.

The lack of a minimum temperature is in contrast to Irish law which has Regulations on temperatures in the workplace.  In relation to office work, an Irish employer must ensure that a minimum temperature of 17.5 degrees is maintained at every workstation after the first hour of work.  For other types of work where there is a substantial amount sitting, employers must ensure the temperature is at least 16 degrees at that workstation.  There is no maximum temperature under Irish law. If an employer breaches the Regulations it may be liable to a fine of between 3,000 to 3 million Euros and could face from 6 months to 2 years in prison. 

In the UK, The Trade Union Congress has called for a maximum temperature of 24 degrees for indoor temperatures but this hasn’t currently been adopted.  If last year is anything to go by, the summer months could see temperatures soar again to over 30 degrees.  This can have a severe impact on an employee's health. 

It is advisable for employers to ensure working conditions are adequate and the environment comfortable to work in.  If temperatures are excessively hot or cold, this can affect an employee's productivity levels and may lead to increased levels of sickness absence. 

Disclaimer:The information and opinions expressed in all Lee & Priestley LLP articles contained in our briefings and on our website - http://www.leepriestley.com are not necessarily comprehensive and should not be relied upon without taking in-depth professional advice.

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