German Firms Face Legal Heat: What Happens When Office Thermometers Hit 30°C

Under existing German workplace rules, the moment a thermometer in an office hits 30 degrees Celsius the employer’s obligations shift from recommendation to requirement. The official guidance from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), updated yesterday in its regulation 115-401 for office operations, states that temperatures should ideally stay below 26°C. Once 30°C is reached, businesses must implement relief measures. And above 35°C the room is considered unsuitable without protection.

Hessian Labour Minister Heike Hofmann reminded employers of these rules yesterday. Klaus Churt, spokesperson for the DGB Düsseldorf-Bergisch Land, put it bluntly: “Heat protection is not an optional comfort factor, it is a legal requirement.”

German employers have clear legal duties when temperatures rise — and UK businesses face equally strict obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Keeping on top of risk assessments and compliance paperwork can be daunting, but a free Health & Safety Toolkit provides ready-to-use templates, checklists, and guidance to help you meet your legal responsibilities and protect your workforce. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit

Yet the push for stronger measures goes far beyond Germany’s borders. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) — known by its German acronym EGB — is calling for binding heat-protection rules across all EU member states. ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said on Thursday that construction workers, fruit pickers and bus drivers are particularly vulnerable. She pointed to the three-minute cooling breaks footballers get every half-time at World Cup matches as a model for what could be done in other sectors.

The union’s core demands include statutory temperature ceilings, paid rest breaks and guaranteed access to shade, water and cooling facilities. “The world of work must adapt to the consequences of climate change,” Lynch said. The European Commission is currently examining whether heat-protection regulations can be integrated into existing directives. The urgency is underlined by World Health Organization estimates that extreme heat contributes to roughly 500,000 deaths globally each year.

The economic toll is already visible in corporate ledgers. Research by Allianz Trade puts the damage from heatwaves — through lost productivity and higher cooling costs — in the billions of euros. Alexander Gimbel of KörperManagement KG argues that heat protection should be embedded in any company health strategy, recommending adjusted workflows, active breaks and targeted awareness training for managers.

Several large German companies have already rolled out dedicated heat concepts. At Fraport, about 6,000 employees receive drink trolleys and UV-protective clothing. Volkswagen’s Baunatal plant uses electrolyte powder for hydration and offers flexible gliding-time arrangements. DHL provides its delivery staff with sunscreen and short-duty uniforms.

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Cooling offices effectively requires more than just switching on a fan. IT-service provider IONOS advises keeping warm and cool air streams strictly separate and blocking external heat sources with shading. Unnecessary electrical devices should be turned off. But the IG Metall union warns against using fans in open-plan offices: they can stir up dust and pollen, causing problems for allergy sufferers. The union recommends nighttime ventilation and effective blind systems instead.

DRK state physician André Gries adds a simple health tip: drink preventively, not only when you feel thirsty. That way dehydration and heat damage can be avoided.

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