Staff should be allowed to wear vests and shorts this week to help them cope with soaring temperatures, trade unions have said.
A heatwave is forecast to hit parts of the UK over the few days, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 32C in the South East. Councils have been called on to launch local health programmes to protect vulnerable residents, book extra visits by care workers and work closely with emergency services.
However the Trades Union Conference (TUC) has now warned staff could also be facing ‘unbearable’ conditions during the sweltering heat and has urged workplaces to ditch formal attire.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said that while a vest and shorts was ‘not suitable attire for all front line staff’, those not dealing with the public should be allowed to ‘discard their tights, ties and suits’.
She added that workers unable to dress in cool clothing were likely to ‘feel lethargic and lack inspiration and creativity’.
‘With temperatures set to soar this week, now is the time for employers to relax the dress code rules temporarily and allow their staff to dress down,’ O’Grady said.
‘Making sure that everyone has access to fans, portable air conditioning units and cold drinking water should help reduce the heat in offices, factories, shops, hospitals, schools and other workplaces across the country.’
