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Published 11:14 23 Jun 2026 BST
Add us as a preferred source on Google »With a Status Yellow high temperature warning from Met Éireann currently in place until Friday, did you know that, under Irish law, if it gets too hot, you can leave work?
According to the Irish meteorological service, this week, maximum temperatures in excess of 27C, combined with night-time minima in excess of 15C, are expected.
The hot and humid weather will continue for the rest of the working week, with the heat peaking on Thursday.
Thursday is going to be an "exceptionally hot and humid day across Ireland", with temperatures "maybe even getting to around 33 or 34 degrees".
As for the potential impacts of this, Met Éireann lists:
While there is no legally defined 'too hot' temperature for work, there is a minimum temperature recommended for workplaces.
According to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, an employer shall ensure that "for sedentary office work, a minimum temperature of 17.5°C, so far as is reasonably practicable, is achieved and maintained at every workstation after the first hour's work".
"For other sedentary work, at every workstation where a substantial proportion of the work is done sitting and does not involve serious physical effort, a minimum temperature of 16°C is, so far as is reasonably practicable, achieved and maintained after the first hour's work," it adds.
The regulations also state: “An employer shall ensure that—during working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations is appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on the employees."
Furthermore, while no maximum figure is specified, the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 says employers owe a general duty to ensure the safety of staff.
Under the act, employers must "take reasonable care to protect his or her safety, health and welfare and the safety, health, and welfare of any other person who may be affected by the employee’s acts or omissions at work".
The IBEC, who represent Irish businesses, outlined that if companies work to try to bring down the heat, employees will not get a day off.
“Where an employer is obviously sympathetic and tries to alleviate the worst effects of hot weather, most employees should bear with temporary discomfort and continue working normally," it explained, as reported by The Irish Sun.
“Unless conditions are extreme, measures such as those outlined above should prevent any employees justifiably claiming that the company is in breach of its duty under the 2005 Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act.
“Any refusal by the employees to work would then place them in breach of their contracts of employment, which could lead to loss of pay/disciplinary action."
The regulations also state: “An employer shall ensure that—during working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations is appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on the employees."
Furthermore, while no maximum figure is specified, the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 says employers owe a general duty to ensure the safety of staff.
Under the act, employers must "take reasonable care to protect his or her safety, health and welfare and the safety, health, and welfare of any other person who may be affected by the employee’s acts or omissions at work".
The IBEC, who represent Irish businesses, outlined that if companies work to try to bring down the heat, employees will not get a day off.
“Where an employer is obviously sympathetic and tries to alleviate the worst effects of hot weather, most employees should bear with temporary discomfort and continue working normally," it explained, as reported by The Irish Sun.
“Unless conditions are extreme, measures such as those outlined above should prevent any employees justifiably claiming that the company is in breach of its duty under the 2005 Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act.
“Any refusal by the employees to work would then place them in breach of their contracts of employment, which could lead to loss of pay/disciplinary action."
"Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees, when working in the sun, can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
"Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of the UV Index available from Met Éireann, and where there is a risk identified, consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
"Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
"First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn."
An employer should carry out a risk assessment if a significant number of employees are complaining about the temperature.
Additionally, the Health and Safety Authority says that measures should be taken by employers to cool the workplace down as the temperature rises.
As per The Irish Sun, Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Ireland, Moira Grassick, said: “Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, meaning they must ensure that the temperature does not reach dangerous levels.
“The health and safety of staff should always be a priority, and although the high temperatures are only expected for a couple of days, employers should be prepared.
“Fortunately, many businesses are already allowing flexible working, which can help you to adapt over the hot weather period.
“Allowing staff to work from home or staggering their hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day can help. This is especially helpful for workplaces where employees are required to wear heavy PPE or use heavy machinery.
“If your staff work outside, they may be at more risk of heat stroke and sunburn, so consider providing sun cream and allowing plenty of breaks for staff to rest and hydrate.”
She added: “It’s critical that teams are aware of the signs of heatstroke – like weariness, irritability, and headaches - which can, in some cases, if left untreated, become deadly.
“Should any of these symptoms be present in your staff, medical assistance should be called for right away."
Relaxed dress codes are another step in making the workplace more comfortable in warm conditions.
The HSA advises: “There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations, but as a guideline, a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C.
"Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees, when working in the sun, can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
"Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of the UV Index available from Met Éireann, and where there is a risk identified, consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
"Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
"First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn."
An employer should carry out a risk assessment if a significant number of employees are complaining about the temperature.
Additionally, the Health and Safety Authority says that measures should be taken by employers to cool the workplace down as the temperature rises.
As per The Irish Sun, Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Ireland, Moira Grassick, said: “Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, meaning they must ensure that the temperature does not reach dangerous levels.
“The health and safety of staff should always be a priority, and although the high temperatures are only expected for a couple of days, employers should be prepared.
“Fortunately, many businesses are already allowing flexible working, which can help you to adapt over the hot weather period.
“Allowing staff to work from home or staggering their hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day can help. This is especially helpful for workplaces where employees are required to wear heavy PPE or use heavy machinery.
“If your staff work outside, they may be at more risk of heat stroke and sunburn, so consider providing sun cream and allowing plenty of breaks for staff to rest and hydrate.”
She added: “It’s critical that teams are aware of the signs of heatstroke – like weariness, irritability, and headaches - which can, in some cases, if left untreated, become deadly.
“Should any of these symptoms be present in your staff, medical assistance should be called for right away."
Relaxed dress codes are another step in making the workplace more comfortable in warm conditions.
The HSA advises: “There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations, but as a guideline, a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C.
“In extremely hot weather conditions, measures such
"Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees, when working in the sun, can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
"Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of the UV Index available from Met Éireann, and where there is a risk identified, consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
"Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
"First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn."
An employer should carry out a risk assessment if a significant number of employees are complaining about the temperature.
Additionally, the Health and Safety Authority says that measures should be taken by employers to cool the workplace down as the temperature rises.
As per The Irish Sun, Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Ireland, Moira Grassick, said: “Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, meaning they must ensure that the temperature does not reach dangerous levels.
“The health and safety of staff should always be a priority, and although the high temperatures are only expected for a couple of days, employers should be prepared.
“Fortunately, many businesses are already allowing flexible working, which can help you to adapt over the hot weather period.
“Allowing staff to work from home or staggering their hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day can help. This is especially helpful for workplaces where employees are required to wear heavy PPE or use heavy machinery.
“If your staff work outside, they may be at more risk of heat stroke and sunburn, so consider providing sun cream and allowing plenty of breaks for staff to rest and hydrate.”
She added: “It’s critical that teams are aware of the signs of heatstroke – like weariness, irritability, and headaches - which can, in some cases, if left untreated, become deadly.
“Should any of these symptoms be present in your staff, medical assistance should be called for right away."
Relaxed dress codes are another step in making the workplace more comfortable in warm conditions.
The HSA advises: “There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations, but as a guideline, a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C.
"Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees, when working in the sun, can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
"Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of the UV Index available from Met Éireann, and where there is a risk identified, consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
"Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
"First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn."
An employer should carry out a risk assessment if a significant number of employees are complaining about the temperature.
Additionally, the Health and Safety Authority says that measures should be taken by employers to cool the workplace down as the temperature rises.
As per The Irish Sun, Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Ireland, Moira Grassick, said: “Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, meaning they must ensure that the temperature does not reach dangerous levels.
“The health and safety of staff should always be a priority, and although the high temperatures are only expected for a couple of days, employers should be prepared.
“Fortunately, many businesses are already allowing flexible working, which can help you to adapt over the hot weather period.
“Allowing staff to work from home or staggering their hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day can help. This is especially helpful for workplaces where employees are required to wear heavy PPE or use heavy machinery.
“If your staff work outside, they may be at more risk of heat stroke and sunburn, so consider providing sun cream and allowing plenty of breaks for staff to rest and hydrate.”
She added: “It’s critical that teams are aware of the signs of heatstroke – like weariness, irritability, and headaches - which can, in some cases, if left untreated, become deadly.
“Should any of these symptoms be present in your staff, medical assistance should be called for right away."
Relaxed dress codes are another step in making the workplace more comfortable in warm conditions.
The HSA advises: “There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations, but as a guideline, a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C.
“In extremely hot weather conditions, measures such
"Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees, when working in the sun, can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
"Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of the UV Index available from Met Éireann, and where there is a risk identified, consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
"Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
"First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sunburn."
An employer should carry out a risk assessment if a significant number of employees are complaining about the temperature.
Additionally, the Health and Safety Authority says that measures should be taken by employers to cool the workplace down as the temperature rises.
As per The Irish Sun, Chief Operating Officer at Peninsula Ireland, Moira Grassick, said: “Employers have a duty of care to all their employees, meaning they must ensure that the temperature does not reach dangerous levels.
“The health and safety of staff should always be a priority, and although the high temperatures are only expected for a couple of days, employers should be prepared.
“Fortunately, many businesses are already allowing flexible working, which can help you to adapt over the hot weather period.
“Allowing staff to work from home or staggering their hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day can help. This is especially helpful for workplaces where employees are required to wear heavy PPE or use heavy machinery.
“If your staff work outside, they may be at more risk of heat stroke and sunburn, so consider providing sun cream and allowing plenty of breaks for staff to rest and hydrate.”
She added: “It’s critical that teams are aware of the signs of heatstroke – like weariness, irritability, and headaches - which can, in some cases, if left untreated, become deadly.
“Should any of these symptoms be present in your staff, medical assistance should be called for right away."
Relaxed dress codes are another step in making the workplace more comfortable in warm conditions.
The HSA advises: “There is no maximum temperature stated under the regulations, but as a guideline, a minimum comfortable working temperature for indoor sedentary workers is 17.5C."
IBEC, on its website, also notes: "Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
“In extremely hot weather conditions, measures such IBEC, on its website, also notes: "Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
IBEC, on its website, also notes: "Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
“In extremely hot weather conditions, measures such IBEC, on its website, also notes: "Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
IBEC, on its website, also notes: "Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
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