Can I leave work in hot weather? Your rights explained as UK temperatures hit 22C
AS TEMPERATURES soar to 22C this weekend, the last place many will want to be is inside an office.
The UK’s climate is rarely extreme, nevertheless, it can be unpredictable.
A heatwave in Britain can lead us to consider “how hot is too hot” when it comes to working.
If you are someone having to work outside, you might have already considered this.
Here, we explain your rights.
Working in the heat
Temperatures in all workplaces “must be reasonable”, the UK government advises.
However, there is no law for maximum temperature conditions.
That being said, guidance suggests a minimum of 16 degrees or 13 degrees is employees are doing physical jobs.
Two laws employers must follow to ensure health and safety at work include:
- Keeping temperatures cool and comfortable.
- Providing clean and fresh air.
If a workplace is not comfortable, employees should speak to their employers.
Likewise, there is no law for minimum working temperatures.
Worker rights during the Easter holidays
As the holidays approach, some parents might be wondering whether they can miss work or leave early to look after their kids.
This might be due to childcare cost concerns if their kids aren’t old enough to be left home alone.
While there isn’t any age set in law for when a child can be left at home alone, it is an offence to leave a youngster alone if it places them at risk.
If caught for this, you could face a fine or even be sent to jail for the crime of leaving a child “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health“.
However, you may be able to get time off work to look after your kids, helping you save on the potentially large cost of childcare.
Certain employees are entitled to unpaid parental leave to care for their child’s welfare.
This can be taken by parents who want to “spend more time with their children”, according to UK government guidance.
It can also be taken to look at new schools, settle children into new childcare arrangements, or to have your child spend more time with their family – for example visiting grandparents.