TUC says heatwave requires employer concessions
Thu, 02 Jul 2009
Employers have been urged to relax office dress codes and cool down their overheating offices to make employees more comfortable as a heatwave sweeps the UK.
As temperatures have soared into the low-thirties, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a practical approach to work to be taken.
The union claims that if employers provide their staff with a comfortable working environment, they will stand a better chance of maintaining high productivity levels when temperatures are high.
It suggests that workers who are unable to dress down and do not benefit from air conditioning are likely to become lethargic, lack inspiration and be devoid of creativity.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said British bosses should think seriously about how they can make their workplaces cooler and staff less overheated.
He added: "Allowing employees to dress down in the current heatwave will prevent them from collapsing at their desks, and could also save companies money as they are able to turn down the air con a notch.
"Employers have got to remember that it's no fun working in a baking office or factory and they should be doing all they can to take the temperatures down."
The Met Office has raised the heatwave warning alert to Level 3, indicating that temperatures of up to 33 degrees C can be expected by the end of the week.
How Microsoft can help
Microsoft can help your business save costs on office space plus give employees the ability to work where and when they need to with Windows Small Business Server
More
Getting a Small Business to Work Together News
View all articles
|
|
