"Workplace Heat Protection Matters: The debate over shorter workdays in extreme temperatures"
Boss of left-wing affiliation advocates for reduced work hours during extreme heat conditions
Left Party leader, Jan van Aken, puts forth a proposal for 'heat breaks' in workplaces, especially during scorching temperatures. According to reports by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), this initiative is detailed in van Aken's paper, titled "Workplace Heat Protection: Act Now".
In an interview with RND, van Aken emphasized that the climate crisis isn't just environmental; it's a social crisis, causing workers in hot environments to suffer health consequences. "Nobody can effectively concentrate or work in an office at thirty degrees and above," van Aken stated.
His proposal suggests a reduction in daily working hours starting from 26 degrees Celsius at the workplace, with a 25% decrease in full-time work. From 30 degrees Celsius, half the standard workload should be maintained. In addition, employees should receive a ten-minute break every hour, be granted the right to sufficient water and sun protection, the chance to work remotely, and fans provided at the workplace if temperatures surpass 30 degrees Celsius.
Unions express skepticism, citing existing regulations, with CDU's labor market and social policy spokesman, Marc Biadacz, stating that Germany already has a robust work safety system that adequately addresses heat strain concerns. The AfD, on the other hand, dismisses the entire proposal outright, arguing that companies should be allowed to manage heat protection measures independently.
Meanwhile, the Greens support more flexible working hours in heated environments, acknowledging the unique strain on outdoor workers like those in construction and waste management, especially as climate change continues to raise temperatures.
Looking back on the regulations in place, Germany has relied on the Technical Rules for Workplaces (Technische Regeln für Arbeitsstätten, ASR) and the Workplace Ordinance (Arbeitsstättenverordnung, ArbStättV) to ensure workplace safety, including temperature and comfort. However, these regulations do not mandate specific heat holidays or breaks when temperatures rise, leaving employers to implement their own measures.
The Left Party's proposal, set to be enacted by July 2025, aims to bring significant changes in this area, improving workplace heat protection for all employees. Broader societal and scientific initiatives continue to advocate for better heat protection measures for workers across all sectors.
- In an attempt to address the impact of the climate crisis on worker health, left party leader Jan van Aken has proposed 'heat breaks' in workplaces during extreme temperatures, detailed in his paper titled "Workplace Heat Protection: Act Now".
- The proposal suggests a reduction in daily working hours, increased breaks, and additional protective measures, such as remote work and temperature-controlled workspaces, to protect workers from heat-related health risks.
- While some, like the CDU, argue that Germany already has a robust work safety system, others, such as the Greens, support more flexible working hours in heated environments, acknowledging the unique strain on outdoor workers as climate change continues to raise temperatures.
- The Left Party's proposal, set to be enacted by July 2025, is part of a larger movement advocating for better heat protection measures in the workplace, aligning with ongoing conversations in environmental-science, policy-and-legislation, and general-news related to climate-change and health-and-wellness, particularly in the context of workplace-wellness.
