When the Mercury Hits 30°C, This Swiss Company Cuts the Workday to Six Hours—With Full Pay

Swiss firm cuts work hours in 30°C+ heat without pay loss. Heat waves cost Europe €6.32B in June 2026, with annual tolls potentially exceeding €20B. Productivity, safety at risk.

A building-maintenance firm in Allschwil, Switzerland, has introduced an unusual policy: whenever the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, employees work only six hours instead of the usual 8.4—without any pay cut. The company’s management says it has not seen any economic losses from the shorter shifts, during which only urgent tasks are handled.

The policy highlights a growing challenge faced by employers across Europe and beyond. New research from the German institute Prognos puts a figure on the damage: the June 2026 heat wave alone cost an estimated €6.32 billion. On days when the mercury climbs past 35°C, the daily loss reaches roughly €948 million. Manufacturing bore the biggest hit at €1.9 billion, followed by healthcare, retail, and construction.

If future heat waves become more frequent—analysts project up to four per year—the annual economic toll could exceed €20 billion. The European Central Bank (EZB) has identified mining, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals as especially vulnerable sectors, while a 2026 Allianz study found that hot years shave 0.3 to 0.5 percent off the EU’s gross domestic product.

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The human cost is equally stark. According to the Allianz research, cognitive performance begins to slip at 27–28°C. Once the thermometer reads 30°C, each additional degree cuts hourly productivity by roughly 3 percent. Office workers, whose ideal range is 20–24°C, report rising levels of concentration lapses, headaches, and lethargy. Sleep deprivation from tropical nights compounds the problem. Berlin already recorded a local high of 39.9°C in 2026.

Physical risks also rise. Data from the Swiss accident insurer Suva shows that work-related injuries increase by 7 percent once temperatures hit 30°C. Construction and agricultural workers are most exposed. Germany’s construction union IG BAU recommends the “WSS” rule—water, sunscreen, shade—and urges heavy labourers to drink three to five litres daily, sipping every 15 to 20 minutes. Shifting work schedules to the cooler morning hours and using protective gear with neck flaps can help.

Globally, the problem is more acute. A New York University study from June 2026 found that India’s garment industry suffers productivity losses of up to 10 percent, with 87 percent of workers reporting heat-related illnesses. Some manufacturers, such as the Epic Group in India, have begun investing in cooled factory facilities. In Berlin, housing companies are favouring shading and insulation over air conditioning.

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Politicians are starting to act. Austria’s vice chancellor and housing minister, Babler, has called for easier approval processes for tenants and owners to install heat-protection measures, along with a national heat-protection plan and investments in natural-hazard defences. Yet in most affected countries, there is no legal right to a “heat-free” day—workers cannot simply clock out when the temperature soars.