As global temperatures continue to rise, the impact of extreme heat on occupational health and productivity has become a critical challenge for businesses worldwide. In a recent comprehensive feature titled “Working in a warmer world,” published in Business Spotlight magazine, journalist Chiponda Chimbelu explores this pressing issue and how our workplaces might change in the future.

To shed light on the realities of heat adaptation in the workplace, the article features expert insights from the Director of FAME Lab, Andreas Flouris, who is a professor of physiology at the University of Thessaly. Serving as an external adviser on heat in the workplace for both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), Prof. Flouris discusses the current landscape of worker protection.

In the interview, he highlights a significant challenge: the lack of binding EU-wide legislation protecting workers from extreme heat, which means companies are not currently forced to address it. He points out that while some large businesses are well-prepared to protect their workers and their bottom line, there is a very high variability in companies’ abilities to adapt, with small businesses often struggling to implement safety measures. Drawing from his research, including the 2024 report “Heat at Work: Implications for Safety and Health,” Prof. Flouris emphasizes the need for practical, immediate solutions, such as providing hydration, ventilated rest areas, and allowing workers to self-pace.