With another heatwave arriving in the UK, many people will be dreading a sweaty commute and stuffy office, however the reality is that, in many cases, there is no need for either. Employers can avoid placing their employees in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions simply by putting into place flexible working arrangements such as working from home or arriving or leaving later in the day to avoid the hazardous conditions both at work and on the way there. 

The hot commute

Commuting is one of the most difficult and frequently underestimated aspects of working during a heatwave. For many, especially in cities, the journey to and from work turns from a simple task into an ordeal, navigating un-airconditioned trains, the tube, and the bus followed by a walk on scorching pavements to the office. These things take a serious toll and mean that people arrive at work already worn out, dehydrated, and not in a good state of mind for a day’s work. Using up such significant energy simply preparing to work is illogical when alternatives exist. 

Flexible working, in particular working from home, gets rid of these steps completely. Not only is productivity thus boosted, but employees’ exposure to heat related dangers is minimised. People do not perform their best when they are overheated, as decision making and overall sharpness are affected. To have an alert, prepared, and well performing workforce, it is vital to ensure they are as comfortable as possible. 

The legal aspects 

Flexible work in the heat is, however, about far more than comfort and preference. Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe workplace under the UK’s health and safety laws. When temperatures climb skyward, our infrastructure often cannot cope and it may be that the office simply cannot be made to meet this standard and so, by making people come there, these obligations are being negated. It is ironic perhaps that there is a legal minimum temperature for working, but no maximum. Our summers are growing ever hotter, and until laws catch up with this fact it falls down to employers to ensure that their workforce is safe. 

Employees should also be aware of their legal rights under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. There is protection from reprisals for leaving work due to a perceived imminent danger or threat to one’s safety. Overheating and its associated dangers certainly fall into this category, and so people should not be afraid to speak up and, if necessary, remove themselves from the overheated situation. 

Heat and health 

Beyond the legal considerations there are clear moral and health imperatives to take into account. Heat is more than an uncomfortable summer reality, as it worsens existing health conditions and increases the likelihood of accidents. Employers who insist on office attendance during heatwaves run the risk of fielding sick calls and poor-quality work, in turn adding extra stress to those who did make it in. 

Now is the time for flexible working during extreme weather to become the norm as opposed to something which a handful of considerate companies put into place once or twice a year. People in charge need to come to the realisation that it allows for their operations to continue as normal even when the conditions outside become challenging and shows the workforce that they are trusted and valued as people rather than cogs in a machine. Most employees are well aware of the fact that their output is more about their working conditions than the specific place in which they are performing their duties. 

On site work

There are, of course, people who are unable to work from home. Those in the construction, teaching, and medical fields all perform crucial roles which must be done on site. For this reason, we also need widespread investment in air conditioning in hospitals and schools, as well as an understanding that, sometimes, it’s best to wait until it cools down. 

When flexibility is not an option, it is important to then look for ways to make working more bearable on site. Scheduled breaks for rest, food, and the provision of cold drinks can go a long way to improving morale and safety, alongside showing employees that their safety is being taken seriously. 

Cooling off

All in all, we are not a country particularly well equipped for extreme heat. Most places are not air conditioned, our homes trap heat, and the transport system often fails when the temperature rises. It may be a long time before these systemic, infrastructural problems are solved and so, in the meantime, we need to adapt our workplaces to keep people safe. 

Jo Kansagra is head of people at Virgin Incentives and Virgin Experience Days. For more information, visit www.virginincentives.com.