Germany's Record 90,000 Heat-Related Sick Days Fuel Demands for Mandatory Workplace Cooling Rules
22.06.2026 - 17:14:33 | boerse-global.de
Germany logged more than 90,000 days of work incapacity due to heat exposure last year – a record that has intensified calls for legally binding protections indoors. A parliamentary motion tabled by The Left party in June goes further, demanding a "climate short-time work benefit" (Klima-Kurzarbeitergeld) and a statutory right to leave the workplace when temperatures become extreme.
The proposal arrives as a fresh IFES survey commissioned by the GPA union in spring 2026 reveals that nearly one-third of 1,000 respondents rank heat on the job as a serious burden. That places the issue just behind time pressure and psychological strain in the hierarchy of workplace stressors. The same study found that 48 percent of employees report a rising workload over the past two years, while more than a third doubt they can remain in their current job until retirement.
Speaking of workplace protections, many UK employers still fall short when it comes to documenting their safety measures comprehensively. Gaps in health and safety paperwork can leave businesses exposed to enforcement action. A free toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and toolbox talks covering all key UK regulations. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
Current law: graduated obligations, no "hitzefrei"
The central regulation is the workplace rule ASR A3.5. Unlike schools, there is no official "heat-free" day for employees. Instead, the employer's duty of care triggers a stepped response:
- At 26°C room temperature, bosses should introduce initial measures such as sun protection or night-time cooling.
- Above 30°C, mandatory protections kick in – relaxed dress codes, free drinks or flexible working hours.
- Rooms exceeding 35°C are considered unsuitable for work unless countermeasures like air showers are in place.
Workers who walk off the job without authorisation risk disciplinary consequences unless they can prove a direct health threat.
Union criticism and political momentum
"Existing rules are not enough," union representatives argue. While outdoor work has seen some progress, offices and factory halls still lack binding standards. GPA chair Barbara Teiber points to the IFES data as evidence that the problem is widespread.
The Left's parliamentary motion cites not only the record sick-day figure but also a sharp increase in skin cancer cases linked to sun exposure. Facility management experts are backing the push, calling for mandatory heat-protection plans that include temperature monitoring and clear escalation steps. They particularly single out healthcare staff and nursing personnel as needing tailored safeguards.
Developing a structured heat-protection plan is just one area where a proper risk assessment makes all the difference. A comprehensive risk assessment toolkit with 41 ready-to-use templates can help you document hazards and controls systematically, from fire safety to lone working. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Special protections for vulnerable groups – and a legal precedent
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with medical conditions already enjoy enhanced protection. If the workplace hits 26°C and the employer cannot provide relief, individual adjustments or even temporary exemption from work may become necessary.
Employee representatives advise workers to actively demand measures. If management remains passive, staff can contact workplace safety authorities or the works council. A ruling by the Schleswig-Holstein State Labour Court has already confirmed that works councils have co-determination rights over heat-protection measures in companies without air conditioning.
