No ‘Hitzefrei’ for German Offices, But a Political Fight Over Heat Is Just Beginning
19.06.2026 - 04:25:49 | boerse-global.de
Germany’s workplace heat rules are layered and precise — yet they lack the blanket “Hitzefrei” many workers would like. The country’s Technical Regulation for Workplaces (ASR A3.5) sets three temperature thresholds: from 26 °C employers must assess and start measures; at 30 °C protective steps become mandatory, such as early-morning ventilation, fans or staggered hours to avoid peak heat; once the thermometer hits 35 °C, rooms without special protection (like air showers) are deemed unsuitable, forcing the employer to offer alternatives such as cooler areas. Responsibility for indoor temperature shifts entirely to the employee when working from home.
But a growing sense of urgency is pushing the debate beyond these technical rules. A study by Allianz Trade warns that heatwaves could cost the German economy roughly 112 billion euros by 2030. For every degree above 30 °C, productivity drops about 3 %, while energy costs rise 1.2 %. The hardest-hit sectors are those relying on physical labour or lacking air conditioning. In 2023 alone, around 92,700 sick-leave days were attributed to heat and solar radiation. Sickness absences climb 3.5 % on days over 30 °C — and up to 6 % during prolonged hot spells.
Against this backdrop, the Left party (Die Linke) has introduced a parliamentary motion that is stirring debate. Its two-pronged proposal calls for a “climate short-time work benefit” (Klima-Kurzarbeitergeld) for outdoor professions, modelled on the seasonal short-time work system, to compensate for wage losses during extreme weather. For indoor workers, it demands a mandatory reduction in working hours with full wage replacement. The party argues that existing ASR rules are too rarely enforced.
The compliance gaps that Germany's heat rules expose are not unique — UK employers also face enforcement pressure when they lack documented risk assessments for workplace hazards. A free Health & Safety Toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and templates that help businesses meet their legal duties under UK regulations such as the Health & Safety at Work Act. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) is cautious. Anja Piel, a member of the DGB federal executive, warned against using heat protection as an excuse to weaken the eight-hour day. Instead, she urged industry-specific solutions. Katharina Utermöhl of Allianz Trade placed Germany in a “dangerous middle zone”, stressing that heat-management action is urgently needed. One idea that has resurfaced is adopting a siesta-style midday break, common in southern Europe.
Additional rules came into force in August 2025. The Technical Regulation A5.1 now obliges employers to take protective measures from a UV index of just 3. Recommended workwear must have a UV protection factor of at least 50. The statutory accident insurance for the construction industry (Berufsgenossenschaft Bau) is subsidising functional clothing, cooling vests and headwear to cut health risks for outdoor workers.
With another heatwave already sweeping the south-west of Germany this week — temperatures peaked at 37 °C — the political and economic pressure to act is only mounting. Yet no single measure has found broad consensus, and the search for a workable mix of flexibility and protection continues.
