As Europe experiences increasingly intense and frequent heatwaves, businesses across the continent are implementing new measures to protect workers from extreme temperatures, with many emphasizing the need for long-term adaptation rather than temporary responses.

In June, when Spain recorded unprecedented heat, Schneider Electric activated its heat resilience plan at two manufacturing sites near Barcelona. The France-based energy technology firm introduced additional breaks, provided more water and shaded rest areas, and used sensors to monitor temperature and humidity levels in production zones. This data-driven approach allows for a more precise understanding of heat stress, incorporating humidity’s impact on worker comfort and safety. Schneider also deployed mini fans, distributed ice cream and lemonade, and enforced mandatory 10-minute breaks each hour when temperatures exceeded 30.5 degrees Celsius.

Across Europe, similar strategies are being adopted amid back-to-back heatwaves. In the UK, for instance, the Met Office issued a rare red heat warning, signaling risks to life. Wates Group, a British construction and property services company, urged supervisors to conduct risk assessments, reschedule tasks to cooler times, and educate workers on symptoms of heat-related illness such as dizziness and fatigue. The company also emphasized providing shade and increased rest breaks.

Other sectors responded by relaxing office policies during peak heat, enabling remote work and loosening dress codes. Several UK retail locations, including branches of bakery chain Greggs, temporarily closed over safety concerns related to heat. A recent study from the Grantham Research Institute and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change found that approximately 24 million work hours were lost in the UK during June’s heatwave, with an estimated economic impact of £1.5 billion. The research highlighted that outdoor and physically demanding jobs—often lower-paid roles—were disproportionately affected by the heat.

European companies also report rising costs linked to climate impacts such as heatwaves, with workforce health, supply chain disruption, and insurance expenses among the leading challenges. Calls for legally mandated maximum workplace temperatures have intensified, particularly in the UK. Spain currently sets limits of 27 degrees Celsius for desk-based work and 25 degrees for light physical labor.

The effect of heat on workers is compounded by record-breaking overnight temperatures, which impede rest and contribute to workplace accidents and errors. According to the World Health Organization, productivity declines by 2 to 3 percent for each degree Celsius increase above a wet-bulb globe temperature threshold of 20 degrees Celsius—a measure factoring air temperature, humidity and solar exposure.

Industry experts emphasize the importance of formal heatwave policies. Ronni Zehavi, co-founder of HR platform HiBob, notes that clear guidelines—such as remote work options and early finish times—provide consistency and fairness, preventing reliance on ad hoc decisions.

Some companies are exploring innovative solutions to address heat risks. Austria-based construction giant Strabag has tested cooling vests, UV detection bracelets, wider helmet brims, and cooling sleeves, alongside knowledge-sharing between regions accustomed to high temperatures and those only now encountering extreme heat. Portuguese energy firm EDP adjusts working hours to avoid peak heat and suspends outdoor work when necessary, while investigating thermal-stress monitoring systems and additional protective equipment.

The extreme weather has also spotlighted the lack of air conditioning in many European buildings, including offices, schools, and hospitals. Schneider Electric, with its expertise in energy management and cooling systems, stresses the growing health and safety hazards posed by inadequately equipped workplaces.

Multinational companies are increasingly leveraging experience from hotter regions to inform European operations. Dutch brewing company Heineken, drawing on practices developed in Mexico where summer temperatures frequently exceed 35 degrees Celsius, is creating a global toolkit based on local heat awareness campaigns and real-time weather monitoring to protect employees in extreme conditions.

As climate change drives hotter summers, European businesses face mounting pressure to adapt workplace practices, infrastructure, and policies to safeguard health, maintain productivity, and manage rising economic costs associated with heat stress.