Employers should consider flexibility and adjustments as temperatures soar, says the CIPD

Posted on 25th May 2026

In response to high temperatures expected across the country, David D’Souza, Director of the Profession for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “With heat warnings in place and high temperatures set to continue into the working week, employers should think ahead to consider the working conditions for their people. Early planning can support wellbeing and help maintain productivity. Sustained hot weather can have a real impact, particularly for employees in safety-critical roles or for those with underlying health conditions, where heat can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration.

“Simple adjustments can make a meaningful difference. Where possible, thinking flexibly about working arrangements and conditions can help people manage the heat more comfortably. For example, this might include adjusting hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day, flexibility on how and where work is done, or staggering start and finish times to ease peak-time travel.

“While there’s no maximum workplace temperature in UK law, employers should ensure conditions are reasonable. Access to drinking water, good ventilation, more flexible application of dress codes and risk assessments can all help.”

For more information visit www.cipd.org