TEMPERATURE
Normally at least 16 °C
HSE says workrooms where people mainly sit should normally be at least 16 °C, or 13 °C where work involves physical effort. There is no set maximum.
Check a questionWHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Is it too cold
to work?
UK guidance sets a floor for office warmth, but no ceiling.
16 °C normally at least
16 °C Usual minimum for sedentary work
- At least 16 °C
- 11 m³ each
- Breaks from the screen
- The basics of a decent office
HSE guidance covers temperature, room space, fresh air, water and screen work, and GOV.UK sets out rest breaks. A few of the numbers are firmer than most people think; others are looser.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Warm enough,
roomy enough.
Some rules are firm duties.
Others are guidance that depends on the work.
SPACE
11 cubic metres each
Divide the empty room's volume by the people normally working in it. HSE says the answer should be at least 11 cubic metres.
See the numbers
BREAKS
Little and often
For screen work, HSE says 5 to 10 minutes every hour is better than 20 minutes every 2 hours. Short, frequent breaks beat long, rare ones.
Build in breaksA QUICK OFFICE CHECK
What is your
question?
Pick a common office question to see what the guidance says. The bar shows how firm the rule is, from loose guidance to a clear entitlement.
Based on HSE guidance and GOV.UK. This is general information for Great Britain, not legal advice about your contract.
FOUR EVERYDAY HABITS
Small changes,
better days.
Much of this is about how the working day is planned. These habits follow HSE and GOV.UK guidance.
Break up screen time
Short breaks often, rather than longer ones less often. Meetings and phone calls count as a change of activity.
Stand and move
HSE says breaks should let you leave the desk and move, or at least stretch and change position.
Take the 20-minute break
If you work more than 6 hours a day, you are entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break.
Ask for an eye test
If you use a screen for work, your employer must arrange and pay for an eye test when you ask.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
A floor for warmth,
a floor for room.
One figure on temperature,
one on how much space each person needs.
16 °C
Usual minimum for sedentary work
HSE says that where work is mainly sedentary, as in offices, the temperature should normally be at least 16 °C. For work involving physical effort it should be at least 13 °C.
TEMPERATURE · HSE
11 m³
Minimum room volume per person
HSE's short guide for managers says the empty room's volume divided by the number of people normally working in it should be at least 11 cubic metres, with any height above 3 m counted as 3 m.
ROOM SPACE · HSE
HSE notes that 11 cubic metres is a minimum and may not be enough, depending on the layout of the room, the furniture and the type of work.
WATER, AIR AND REST
The quieter
basics.
HSE's guide says workplaces need adequate ventilation with fresh air drawn from outside, and an adequate supply of high-quality drinking water. Bottled water containers not connected to the mains should be refilled at least daily, unless they are chilled dispensers returned to the supplier.
Rest areas should have enough seats with backrests and tables for the people likely to use them at one time, and eating facilities should include a way to prepare or get a hot drink.
Questions
Questions people ask
Is there a legal maximum office temperature?
No. HSE guidance sets no upper limit. It expects a reasonable working temperature, with measures such as fans, ventilation, shading and breaks for cool drinks when it is hot.
What is the minimum temperature for an office?
HSE says it should normally be at least 16 °C where work is mainly sedentary, or at least 13 °C for work involving physical effort.
How much space should each person have?
At least 11 cubic metres per person, worked out as the empty room's volume divided by the number of people normally working in it, counting height above 3 m as 3 m.
Does my employer have to pay for glasses?
Only if the eye test shows you need special glasses for screen work. If your normal prescription is suitable, the employer does not have to pay for glasses.
Is my lunch break paid?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK says the 20-minute rest break for days over 6 hours does not have to be paid; it depends on the employment contract.
Where the facts come from
Updated