This Pentecost weekend we have had the first heat wave of the year, with 30 degrees and more in much of the country. And tomorrow many people return to work with the same question: what is my boss obliged to do when it is so hot?
The answer is more nuanced than it sounds. In Switzerland there is no legal maximum temperature from which work must be automatically suspended. There is no “over 30 degrees, home.” What exists is an obligation of the employer, according to the Labor Law, to protect the health of its workers and take concrete measures. But which measures exactly depends on the type of position and the risk analysis of each company. The DRY states that above 30°C compensation measures are essential: fresh water available, ventilation or fans, reduction of physical effort, more frequent breaks, adapted schedules. They are not required to install air conditioning, but they are required to ensure that your health is not compromised.
If your company does nothing and the situation is clearly unbearable, you can go to the Labour Inspectorate in your canton. For pregnant women the rules are stricter: from 28°C it is already considered an arduous environment with potential risk, and the employer must adapt the position or provide an alternative one. Each canton may also have additional regulations, so it's worth checking if you have specific questions.
Theory is one thing. In practice, there are offices with windows that accumulate heat such as greenhouses, companies that save on stores and fans, and workers who spend the summer sweating without knowing they have specific rights. Many people discover this late, or do not discover it at all.