An extreme heat warning has been expanded by the Met Office
19:29, 21 Jun 2026Updated 19:38, 21 Jun 2026
The Met Office is predicting sweltering temperatures until Thursday(Image: Met Office)
Sweltering heatwave conditions are set to grip the UK once again as the Met Office predicts record-breaking highs of 38C.
The Met Office has expanded its weather warning to four days from 1am on Monday to midnight on Thursday, including in Birmingham, reflecting growing confidence that exceptionally hot and humid conditions will continue through the middle of the week across the Midlands, the south and Wales.
It is set to reach 38C in Birmingham by Thursday.
In May, temperature records were once again broken when the hottest ever May day was recorded at 34.8 °C in London, surpassing the previous record of 32.8 °C set in 1922.
Read more Met Office warns UK heatwave will be ‘record breaker’ with 1957 problem returning
With many set to return to work on Monday, people will be wondering if it will be considered too hot for them to work considering the warnings from the Met Office.
While a lot of offices will benefit from air-conditioning, those putting in long hours outdoors are likely to struggle.
So what exactly are the rules regarding working in extreme heat?
The temperature rules at work
Under the government website’s health and safety at work section, it states: “During working hours the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable.”
There is currently no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, for example when it’s too cold or too hot to work.
But guidance recommends a minimum of 16C, or 13C for employees undertaking physical labour.
No guidance exists regarding a maximum temperature threshold at the moment.
Gov.uk states that employers must adhere to health and safety at work legislation, which includes maintaining a comfortable temperature and ensuring clean, fresh air.
Workers are encouraged to raise concerns with their employer should the workplace temperature become uncomfortable.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations stipulate reasonable workplace temperatures for indoor areas of construction sites.
Where work takes place outdoors, adequate protection from harsh weather conditions must be provided, and site rest facilities must be kept at an appropriate temperature.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, employers are obliged to evaluate risks to workers and implement measures to safeguard them.
Workplace temperature is among the hazards employers should assess, regardless of whether work is carried out indoors or outdoors.