A bit of forward planning can help you avoid disruption and keep things running smoothly.

Creating a workable environment

There’s no fixed maximum workplace temperature, but employers do have a responsibility to ensure conditions are safe and reasonable. Guidance from the Health & Safety Executive is clear that temperature should be treated as a workplace risk and managed accordingly.

You can find full guidance here.

In warmer weather, small adjustments can make a big difference:

• Open buildings early and limit heat build‑up by closing blinds during peak sun
• Move workstations away from direct sunlight
• Use fans or cooling systems effectively
• Encourage regular breaks and good hydration

Flexible working can also help - for example, shifting hours or enabling home working during the hottest parts of the day.

Stay informed and act early

Keeping an eye on the forecast means you’re less likely to be caught out.

You can check local conditions via the Met Office here.

For more proactive planning, consider signing up for Heat Health Alerts, which give early warnings when temperatures could affect health and well-being.

These alerts are designed to help organisations take action before conditions become severe.

It’s also worth thinking about your premises. Some buildings—particularly older sites or top-floor offices—retain heat more easily, which can affect both staff comfort and IT equipment performance.

Reduce the risk of disruption

Hot weather can put pressure on infrastructure, including electricity networks. While outages aren’t guaranteed, it’s sensible to be prepared.

To improve resilience:

• Keep devices charged and ready
• Use cloud-based systems so teams can work from different locations
• Back up important files and ensure key information is accessible remotely
• Identify alternative workspaces if needed

If a power cut does occur, you can call 105 for support. You can also track live outages in your area here.

Check cover and operational plans

Hot weather can have knock-on effects on travel, deliveries and staffing, so it’s worth reviewing your wider setup.

Take time to:

• Check your business insurance includes appropriate cover
• Consider whether business interruption cover would be beneficial
• Review planned activities or events during periods of extreme heat

If travel is essential, encourage staff to plan ahead and take precautions. National guidance includes practical advice on staying safe on the road.

Hot weather doesn’t need to mean disruption, but it does require a more proactive approach. Putting a few simple measures in place now can help protect your team, your systems and your business continuity over the summer months.