Who can be over 30 degrees Celsius at the beach or Pool to jump in order to relish the Cocktail into the cool water, did everything right. In the corona of a crisis that is not for the masses is always possible. Because there is still a travel warning applies to many countries. It is different for all those who are not free, but during periods of tropical temperatures, for example, in the office of their work to follow up on. For many workers it is then just a matter of getting through the day somehow. Because a classic labour law on heat you’re not – no matter how high the room temperature at the workplace fails. But is that really so? Even lawyers are at odds and in unison said: It always depends.
what temperature it is in the office too hot?
In the workplaces Directive (point A3.6), it is stated that in work, the supply of fresh room temperature should not be above 26 degrees Celsius. Sounds on hot summer days, a free ticket for extra Free-days from the warm lunch time. But be careful: it is not so. Just like the work and to make heat-free, for employees, clearly the wrong way.
in special cases, employees must accept temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius, without being allowed to freely make. And summer days with high heat. However, an employer may not allow its employees also, with temperatures around the 40 degree alone. He must then take appropriate measures for the protection of its employees. And the cost he can get back, under certain circumstances, even from the landlord.
An appropriate measure may be, inter alia, that it installs on Windows a protection from direct sunlight. For example, Jalousinen, awnings or blinds. So, on days with high solar radiation the UV-radiation in the office reduce. Also, the Placement of fans can provide relief of a cold air current. In addition, the deployment of mobile air-conditioning devices is provided by the employer a possibility to let the productivity in the work space is not too strong to break.
I have to wear in the summer, long pants in the office?
Responsible employer not ask on a hot day-cooled (to cold!) Drinks available. Also, a more relaxed dress code in the workplace can already be regarded as a welcome measure against the heat at work. No-one is helped in the office, a suit-forced, or other clothing rules, that if including welding room temperature, driving the health of the employee suffers. A pair of shorts in the office should be allowed in exceptional cases. Also, the Wearing of Flip-Flops should not be a Problem, if there is no public traffic, and at work a seat of activity investigated is.
In offices, where the temperature is not at an acceptable level to reduce, should seek Employees in the conversation with your boss or the works Council. So, a Home-Office could be found, for example, as a suitable measure of work-rules, if this makes sense, and in the domestic four walls not even a heat bunker waiting for the tele work. An approach to the debates and to high temperatures comes also away from any heat free-and more and more.
a shift in the working hours Is possible?
Also, an adjustment of working hours (Flexi-time) is, according to the consultation as a sensible measure against heat imaginable. Who work early starts, must also make more of the evening; and so from the excruciating midday heat, use the time more effectively than in the workplace. Positive side effect: In the early hours of the morning the journey to work is often much more pleasant than Rush Hour.
conversely, the employer can call his employees in the Rest of the also mandatory to do this, rather to start working. The personal circumstances of the employee (for example, children are featured in the nursery), however, must always be taken into account. Working late? May not be a good idea. Because then you have heated up spaces in the already strong.
What is with Pregnant women and the elderly?
In no case should workers on hot summer days just to stay at home or the warmth of the office without the consent of the employer, leave. Who is doing it, you risk consequences such as a warning or in case of repetition even of the termination. Exceptions apply in the case of a violent heat for Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people who can prove through a medical certificate of health problems. You have to extremely hot days, the right to an exemption. This is also true for older people. Hard physical work days in summer only early in the morning or late in the evening is done. And never forget: a Lot of drinking is a Must.
deviations from all the rules can also apply when the ozone values are too high, or summer smog, is the Breathing more difficult. Then companies are required to adhere to the recommendations of the local authorities. Especially for heavy physical Work (outside) then apply restrictions. Not work to avoid, are on the outside, it is advisable to always wear an appropriate sun protection. Both on the body and on the head. The UV-protection should be given to radiation then special attention.
What happens in the workplace-in temperatures above 35 degrees?
by the Way: not taken by the employer measures to reduce the office temperature, it succeeds but in spite of everything, is reached from a room temperature of more than 35 degrees in any office, the end of the flag pole. Then the Work at the workplace is considered to be unreasonable and must be set. At least then, if you fear a significant risk to their own health§ 9 ArbSchG) is (. But here, too: Just as no one should acknowledge his work, if you don’t want to forfeit with his superiors; is the heat ever so painfully.
Every Chef is required at high temperatures, but anyway to act. Because studies show that the concentration of employees falls considerably, when the room temperature is too high. An employer that leaves its employees without the protection measures in case of rising room temperatures, “burn”, you risk a fine of up to 5,000 euros. However, would have to sue for an employee against his bread-and-Butter donors.
in The most clever way, but anyway those workers who are not on their rights, or heat, or free professions, but simply to take vacation or work Overtime to reduce. After all, what could be Nicer than relaxing in the garden, to lie on the lake or even the beach and to enjoy the beautiful weather with a tangible cooling of the heat or not.
This article was written by Hayo Lücke
*The contribution of “free Heat in the office: you have to published is to know now” by Inside Digital. Contact with the executives here.
Best offer BestCheck.de Inside Digital
