no, German law does not require employers to reduce working hours in the event of hot weather

Faced with the heat wave, the left-wing politician and former labor inspector Gérard Filoche denounced the fate of French workers. Pointing out the shortcomings of the hexagonal labor code, he praised a measure that would exist across the Rhine: “ in Germany if it is over 27°C in the room where employees work, the law requires employers to reduce working time to 6 hours a day. Above 29 degrees, this increases to 4 hours a day. And if it’s over 35 degrees, the employer has to stop everything “.

Gerard Filoche’s claims come from a 2013 Challenges article, which was equally affirmative. However, they do not correspond to reality. Indeed, with each episode of high heat, the German media, but also unions and lawyers publish articles to inform employees of their rights. Everyone agrees that in Germany ” there is no legislation providing for a right not to work because of the heat “.

What Gérard Filoche presents as a law is actually a recommendation, which can be offered by business councils. If thresholds of 26, 30 and 35 degrees do appear in the labor code, they only oblige the employer to put in place effective protective measures, but do not necessarily require a reduction in working time.

A German boss will thus be able to choose to install fans, to offer drinks, to allow outfits adapted to the heat or to change working hours so that workers carry out their tasks early in the morning. As a last resort, and if he does nothing, then employees can stop working citing their workplace safety.

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