An employment lawyer has warned that workers in Scotland may be legally entitled to leave the office when next week’s heatwave hits, if bosses don’t follow health and safety rules.
Liam Entwistle, employment law specialist at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, reminded employers to follow guidance on keeping staff safe as temperatures are set to soar to as high as 30c in certain parts of Scotland next week.
The Met Office has extended its extreme heat weather warning, with Scotland expecting record temperatures on Tuesday.
Entwistle advised: “When we’re experiencing extreme temperatures, it’s important for employers to be mindful of their duty of care to staff and follow health and safety guidelines.
“Bosses should be sensible and ensure their staff members aren’t carrying out highly strenuous work when temperatures soar, in order to avoid complaints from disgruntled employees.
“If it gets too hot to work, employees could have the right to take the day off work, especially if employers don’t put effective cooling measures in place.”
He explained: “Employees have a duty to make sure their staff members aren’t put at risk of heatstroke, exhaustion or dehydration, which are illnesses which can be caused by heatwaves.
“As always, it’s important that employees and staff members communicate if the workplace isn’t comfortable – without loss of pay.”
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-employers-urged-mindful-workers-27490788
