Experts explain how cold it needs to get before you can go home from work:
Workers across the UK are battling freezing conditions, but what are the recommended ...
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/experts-explain-how-cold-needs-36505363
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Britain Has No Fixed Legal Minimum Workplace TemperatureACAS and the HSE recommend 16°C, or 13°C for strenuous work, with suitable conditions depending on the job and workplace.
Key FactsJan 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mirror.co.uk
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mirror.co.uk
- For indoor workplaces, ACAS and the Health and Safety Executive generally cite 16°C as a guideline, or 13°C when work involves substantial physical effort.
- There is no statutory minimum or maximum temperature, and ACAS says what is reasonable depends on the working environment and the type of work.
- For outdoor work, employers have a duty under the relevant rules to protect workers from hazards, potentially by rescheduling shifts, providing extra training or supplying warm clothing.
- If an employer cannot meet legal requirements and ensure safety, Phil Pepper says the employer may not be able to require workers to attend.
Ultimately, if an employer can't comply with the law and guarantee that their workforce will be safe, they can't require them to come into work.— Phil Pepper, head of employment at the law firm Shakespeare Martineau, explaining employer duties under health and safety law.
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How cold temperature needs to be before you can go home from work: The UK has been hit with snow and below freezing temperatures
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