Snizeni minimalnich teplot na pracovistich

Lowering minimum temperatures in workplaces

In response to the current energy situation, the Government of the Czech Republic has approved an amendment to Government Regulation No. 361/2007 Coll., on occupational health conditions. This amendment reduced the minimum temperatures in workplaces, effective from 12 October 2022, which according to the explanatory memorandum appear to be "very comfortable" in the ongoing energy crisis.

For occupations classified by the regulation as Class I, i.e. sedentary work with minimal whole-body activity (normal office administrative work), the minimum temperature has been reduced by 2°C to 18°C. For Class IIa occupations, i.e. sedentary jobs with light manual hand work, such as cashiers or car drivers, the temperature has been reduced to 16°C. A 2 to 3 °C drop in minimum temperatures will also affect changing rooms, washrooms and toilets. The most noticeable temperature reduction of up to 6 °C will occur in shower rooms (from 25 °C to 19 °C).

The temperature values, set by the government regulation in force until the October amendment, have remained unchanged for more than 10 years. The decision to lower the temperature limits in workplaces was subject to discussion with hygienists and comparison with conditions in Germany or the UK, which gave the green light to the change in the microclimatic environment of Czech workplaces.

We are monitoring further developments in government measures affecting employers and will keep you informed. If you would like further information, please contact the authors of this article or other members of the EY team with whom you work.

Authors:

Barbora Suchá

Eliška Mandíková