Employers urged to maintain 'consistent, comfortable' office climate
Overheating offices during the Australian summer are emerging as a major source of workplace friction, with new research finding that hot indoor temperatures are leaving staff distracted, irritable, and more likely to fall out with colleagues.
The survey of 1,000 Australian adults who work in an office at least one day a week, conducted by Alliance Climate Control, suggests temperature discomfort is now a routine part of office life.
Half of employees said they are more stressed, anxious, or irritable (50.1%) when the office is too hot, while more than a quarter said disagreements with co-workers about the temperature happen (26.3%).
"Office managers should work to maintain a consistent and comfortable office climate to help employees perform at their best, stay healthy, and feel comfortable," said Goran Surbevski, climate control expert at Alliance Climate Control.
Heat's impact on work
The same study found that the impact of overheated offices can also spill into work patterns, making some employees avoid socialising with colleagues, removing themselves from certain areas, or leaving their desks to stay comfortable.
The heat also appears to affect how staff manage their time and workload. Almost half of respondents said they experience slower decision-making when the office feels too hot, while more than four in ten admit to taking more frequent or longer breaks.
About a quarter report arriving late or early to dodge the worst of the heat, according to the report.
Addressing the heat
There are simple operational changes that could reduce conflict and discomfort during the scorching summer, according to Surbevski.
"Managers can implement simple strategies such as regulating heating and cooling systems, allowing flexibility in how employees manage their environment, monitoring the temperature, and communicating temperature policies," he said.
"This can make a big difference in supporting wellbeing and productivity during the summer months."
Employers across Australia have a duty to keep employees and their workplaces safe from the risks of working in heat, according to Safe Work Australia.
"The human body needs to maintain a normal temperature to be healthy. Workers may suffer from heat-related illness if the body has to work too hard to keep cool or starts to overheat," it said on its website.
