Heat Wave Economics: German Employers Unprepared as Productivity Plummets and Sick Leave Surges
Published on 06/21/2026 at 04:04 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A single hot day costs Germany’s economy €431 million, yet many companies lack the legal groundwork to shield their workers. The warning comes from environmental physician Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, who argues that heat protection is effectively economic protection. A study by Prognos quantifies the damage: 76,500 additional sick days per heat day, combined with lower productivity and lost working hours.
Long-term forecasts paint an even grimmer picture. By 2030, Allianz Trade expects cumulative losses of roughly €112 billion for Germany alone. For every degree above 30°C, productivity falls by 3%. Sick-leave rates climb 3.5% on hot days; during prolonged heatwaves, the increase reaches 6%.
Legal thresholds many ignore
Contrary to common belief, German law does not grant a general right to “Hitzefrei” (heat-free work). Instead, the Workplace Ordinance, together with the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR A3.5), sets a graduated system of obligations:
- Above 26°C: employers must review protective measures.
- Above 30°C: active countermeasures become mandatory – supplying drinks or adjusting working hours, for example.
- Above 35°C: the room is considered unsuitable for work without special precautions.
Employees who take a day off on their own initiative risk legal trouble. Lawyers advise going through workplace safety authorities or the works council, which, by the way, has a co-determination right on heat-protection measures.
Meeting these legal thresholds starts with a thorough hazard evaluation – and many workplaces underestimate how quickly gaps in heat-risk documentation can lead to compliance failures. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use checklists and templates to help you identify, document and control workplace risks, including heat stress, in a legally sound manner. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Austria’s tougher approach
Since January 2026, Austria has enforced a new heat-protection ordinance. A half-year balance sheet published on 19 June reveals: over 1,300 consultations and more than 700 inspections. The result? 491 violations. The most common shortcoming: failure to carry out a hazard evaluation.
The Austrian rules kick in when a heat warning of Level 2 is issued – that is, temperatures between 30°C and 34°C. Employers then must present a heat-protection plan. Major construction firms such as Strabag and Porr have already responded by shifting working hours, installing sun screens, and supplying cooling towels to employees.
A fan isn’t always a friend
The IG Metall union warns against a widespread misconception: fans and mobile air conditioners in open-plan offices can cause more harm than good. They stir up dust, pollen and aerosols, creating drafts that pose a health risk, especially for allergy sufferers.
The union recommends using such devices only in single-person offices. Building-level measures – blinds, shades, and consistent night-time ventilation – are far better.
The best heat-protection plans start with a solid health and safety framework that covers every common workplace hazard. With over 37,000 UK businesses already using it, the free Health & Safety Toolkit gives you ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and toolbox talks to manage risks from heat stress to chemical safety – so you can stay compliant whatever the weather. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The physical toll becomes alarming: at 30°C outside, reaction time drops by 25%; at 35°C, performance can fall by up to 50%.
Some local authorities are already acting pragmatically. In Freiburg, for example, garbage collection may start as early as 5:30 a.m. when temperatures exceed 25°C – a simple move to escape the midday heat.
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