Problem areas

As well as the significant number of employers who don’t seem to be taking heed of our changing climate, a worrying number don’t appear to be consulting with staff. A Unite rep at a travel company says that a request for air conditioning in a workshop has been refused. “It gets very hot in summer. We have asked for lightweight overalls, and relaxing of need to wear flame retardant overalls, as they’re not necessary," he said.

A PCS rep working for a museum believes workers lose out when there is extreme weather: “A ‘cold weather’ policy has been put in place two years ago following extreme temperatures but it mainly confirms to employees that if they are unable to travel to work, they will either lose pay, have to take annual leave or work the lost hours.”

A union rep employed by a large regional orchestra complains that his building is not a great design: “There is no cash to put in air con and it’s a very hot building in summer and very cold in winter – there is too much glass.”

And a UCU rep in a local college highlights how improvements need to be properly thought through: “Air conditioning units have been installed in some staffrooms. However these are very rarely used as the person sitting below them is in danger of suffering from hypothermia due to them being badly positioned.”