The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) takes a critical view of the discussion about lowering the room temperature at the workplace.
Flat-rate reductions are problematic because the activities and companies differ greatly, said board member Anja Piel. “It is and remains the task of employers to carry out individual risk assessments and to derive effective instruments from them in order to guarantee decent and healthy work.”
The conditions in offices, workshops or large factory halls are very different – and companies also have to promote the energetic renovation of buildings. “Ordering employees to freeze or wear thick sweaters is irresponsible.”
Piel: “The debate about the question ‘How cold is it at the workplace?’ is superfluous and not productive.” The decisive factor in the applicable occupational health and safety rules on the permissible room temperature is “flexible guide values for the lower temperature limit”.