As Ireland swelters in a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 30C, many workers are wondering about their Ireland heatwave workplace rights. Here’s what you need to know about leaving work early in hot weather Ireland
23/06/2026 – An office worker uses an umbrella to shade her workspace from the sun in Westminster, central London.(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Scorching temperatures have descended upon Ireland, and conditions are set to intensify further.
The mercury has been climbing consistently, with forecasts predicting peaks of up to 30C – exceptionally hot for Ireland, where an official heatwave is defined as a minimum of five straight days exceeding 25C. Met Éireann has issued an uncommon five-day weather advisory covering the entire nation, valid from 12 noon Monday through to 9am Friday.
It warns: “Exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland this week. Daytime temperatures will exceed 25C, with temperatures possibly reaching 30C on Thursday.
“Very mild, humid and possibly uncomfortable at night as temperatures will generally stay above 15C . Thunderstorms are possible also, particularly on Thursday.
“Potential impacts include water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress.”
An additional nationwide Status Yellow high temperature warning has been put in place, running from 12 noon Tuesday through to 9am Friday, reports the Irish Mirror.
For numerous people, this signals barbecues, seaside outings and frozen treats. However, for employees trapped in airless offices, on humid production lines or even at home lacking air conditioning, the warmth can become intolerable, prompting many to question: When temperatures soar like this, can you legally walk out of work?
The regulations may vary depending on whether you’re based in an office or working remotely from home. Currently, Irish legislation establishes a minimum workplace temperature (17.5C, or 16C for physically strenuous roles) but no upper threshold.
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers, but provided they’re taking “reasonable efforts” – like supplying fans, relaxing clothing requirements or allowing water breaks – you’re not likely to be dismissed early on full wages simply because the workspace resembles a furnace.
However, this may be about to shift. Last year, Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock advocated for legally established maximum temperature thresholds in workplaces, cautioning that as climate change triggers more regular and severe heatwaves, the danger to employees’ wellbeing is increasing.
She’s supporting demands from the European Trade Union Confederation for a compulsory EU directive on workplace heat exposure, comparable to regulations in Germany (26C maximum) and Spain (27C).
Marie stated that extended high temperatures “may feel like a novelty in Ireland, the reality for some workers is far from pleasant – and, in some cases, it may be dangerous” particularly in badly ventilated environments or outside without shelter and hydration. She wants compulsory heat hazard evaluations, workplace cooling strategies and financial assistance so no employee suffers financially if their workplace closes early during severe heat.
Until any such legislation is enacted, the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation’s position is that most workers should “bear with temporary discomfort” if their employer is making a genuine effort to cool things down. Refusing to work without extreme conditions could be seen as a breach of contract.
While this covers conventional offices and worksites, things become less clear-cut for those working from home – frequently without air conditioning or adequate ventilation.
Mike Hibbs, employment partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, told Mirror Money: “The fact that many employees are still working from home does not mean that employers can suddenly forget their health and safety responsibilities. All the usual rules apply, including the need to risk assess homes as suitable working environments.
“In the workplace, employers usually rely on air conditioning and ventilation to regulate temperatures. However, at home many employees may not have this option and their only means of keeping cool will be to open windows.”
Opening windows can potentially create more issues than it resolves, depending on the nature of your work. Mike added: “The potential for disturbance by noisy neighbours and street noise can make this impractical, especially if their work involves making telephone or video calls.”
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