As Europe faces increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves, a growing number of companies are implementing measures to protect workers from extreme temperatures. This summer’s record-breaking heat across the continent has underscored the economic and health risks posed by rising temperatures, prompting organizations to develop more systematic and data-driven approaches to workplace heat resilience.
In Spain, Schneider Electric, a France-based energy technology group, activated its heat resilience plan at its manufacturing facilities near Barcelona when temperatures soared in June. The company enhanced worker protections by increasing breaks, providing additional water and ice cream, and creating cooled and shaded rest areas. Schneider Electric also deployed sensors to monitor temperature and humidity, noting that humidity levels critically influence heat stress. According to Eva Sanchez, plant manager, these measures have evolved into a permanent, data-driven capability rather than a temporary response.
Other European firms have taken similar steps amid back-to-back heatwaves. The British construction and property services company Wates Group emphasized the need for risk assessments, rescheduling work, and providing shaded rest areas during periods of extreme heat. The UK’s Met Office issued an uncommon red warning for heat in June, signaling a life-threatening risk and prompting companies to review safety protocols. Some employers relaxed office attendance policies, allowing remote work and loosening dress codes, while several retail and food outlets, including shops of the UK bakery chain Greggs, temporarily closed due to heat-related safety concerns.
Researchers estimate that during the UK’s hot week in June, about 24 million working hours were lost, resulting in an estimated economic impact of £1.5 billion. A study by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change found that the average reduction in working time per person was over 45 minutes, with a notable share of workers—primarily outdoor and physically demanding roles—unable to work at all due to the heat. Environmental economists highlight that lower-paid workers tend to bear the brunt of these impacts.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development reported that 42 percent of European businesses have experienced increased costs from physical climate impacts such as heatwaves, affecting workforce health, supply chains, and insurance expenses. Some politicians in the UK have called for a legal maximum workplace temperature to protect employees, a step aligned with existing Spanish regulations that cap indoor temperatures at 27°C for desk work and 25°C for light physical labor.
Beyond daytime heat, record-high nighttime temperatures have raised concerns as poor rest leads to increased workplace accidents and errors. The World Health Organization estimates productivity declines by 2 to 3 percent for every degree Celsius increase above a wet-bulb globe temperature of 20°C, a measure that accounts for humidity and sun exposure.
Industry leaders stress the importance of structured heatwave strategies rather than ad hoc responses. Ronni Zehavi, co-founder of HR platform HiBob, advocates for clear policies on remote work and adjusted hours to ensure consistency and fairness. Wates Group’s environmental sustainability director, Bekir Andrews, advocates for broader adaptations, including shifting strenuous tasks to cooler times, ensuring hydration and shade, and redesigning buildings to remain comfortable in warmer climates.
Energy and utility company EDP, based in Portugal, has adjusted working hours, postponed non-essential outdoor tasks, and suspended work when risks are unmanageable. The firm is also exploring thermal-stress monitoring and new protective equipment as heatwaves increase in frequency. Similarly, Strabag, a major construction company operating in central and eastern Europe, has introduced cooling gear and UV detection devices while sharing knowledge between regions with varying experience in managing heat.
The heatwaves have also highlighted the lack of air conditioning in many European buildings such as hospitals and schools. Schneider Electric’s HR director for Europe, Dominique Laurent, warned that inadequate cooling infrastructure poses a growing health and safety hazard, calling for urgent attention.
Multinational companies like Heineken are drawing on overseas experience in managing extreme heat. Its Mexican operations routinely face temperatures above 35°C and have implemented heat-awareness campaigns and daily weather monitoring to adapt work practices. Heineken’s global climate director, Nicolas Clerget, indicated these efforts are informing a global toolkit to address heat stress across the company’s operations worldwide.
As climate change drives hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves, European businesses are increasingly recognizing the need for comprehensive, forward-looking strategies to safeguard worker health and maintain productivity.