Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?

TEMPERATURES are rising, and most of us will have to swelter in offices with little air conditioning.

The Met Office has forecast that temperatures could hit 29C across some parts of the UK this week.

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But if you do have to head to work, we explain what rights you have when it's too hot in the office.

What rights do I have if it's too hot in the office?

There's no minimum or maximum temperature for offices or other places of work currently defined in law. Employers have to make sure conditions are "reasonable" - but that definition is obviously open to interpretation.

John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline said: "Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace.

"They suggest that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16ºC, or if the work involves rigorous physical exertion, it can be 13ºC.

"Unfortunately, there are no laws which specifically state that workers can stop working if the temperature gets too hot or cold."

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously suggested bosses should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor their wellbeing in hot weather.

Typical symptoms of heat stress are:

• An inability to concentrate
• Muscle cramps
• Heat rash
• Severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress
• Fainting
• Heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin
• Heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage

However, if enough members of staff complain about working conditions, bosses should carry out a risk assessment.

The HSE says: “If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.”

John adds: "If an employee feels uncomfortable, then they should speak to their employer as they are obliged to act reasonably and provide a safe working environment."

If you're a vulnerable staff member - including being menopausal or pregnant - you should take this into account when deciding on a plan of action.

You may not get to work from home, though.

Instead, the business might provide fans, relax dress codes, turn up the air conditioning, or consider other measures to make things more comfortable.

What are the temperature recommendations?

The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends the following temperatures for different working areas:

• Heavy work in factories: 13°C
• Light work in factories: 16°C
• Hospital wards and shops: 18°C
• Offices and dining rooms: 20°C

What are my rights if I need to take public transport?

Each transport company sets its own policies - and like with offices, there's no law about temperatures during a heatwave.

This can mean that travellers face extremely high temperatures when out and about.

For example, in 2018, Londoners complained of 42C temperatures on the Tube.

Transport for London however has since said all Tubes will be air-conditioned by 2030.

If you are travelling on public transport, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you, and if possible, wear cool, loose, and light clothing.

People are sharing their best "air con" hacks to keep cool in the heatwave and all you need is a bottle of water. If you're sat at work wincing in pain at sunburn caught over the weekend, here's five ways to soothe it.