No more cold feet: This temperature is ideal in the office

Last year, the federal government in Germany drew up an energy saving regulation - which also states that public buildings may only be heated to 19 degrees from October. This regulation does not apply to your employer, but many companies have turned down the temperature in the offices. But how cold is actually allowed from a labor law perspective? And what is the ideal temperature in the office? We researched it for you!

Temperature in the office: that's what labor law says

Like so many things, the temperature at the workplace in Germany is regulated. It always depends on the difficulty of the work and is regulated in the workplace ordinance (ArbStättV). However, this only states that the temperature in the workrooms is “ conducive to health ”.

For precisely this reason, the workplace ordinance has been expanded to include the so-called technical rules for workplaces. Here, physical stress is divided into three levels: light, medium and heavy. Specifically, the following temperature limits should be observed so that there is no risk to health:

• Physically light, sedentary work: 19 degrees Celsius
• Light physical activity, standing or walking: 18 degrees Celsius
• Moderate, mostly sedentary work: 18 degrees Celsius
• Moderate activity, mostly standing: 16 degrees Celsius
• Physically heavy activity: At least 12 degrees
• Break and first-aid rooms: At least 21 degrees

With the Energy Saving Ordinance that came into force in October, it is now permitted to fall below these values ​​- within a framework that is not harmful to health. However, the reduction to a fixed minimum temperature is not planned. Rather, the regulation serves to minimally adjust the temperature in offices in order to save energy.

If your company has a works council, then they are obliged to check the temperature in the office. If the temperature falls below the legally regulated limits, countermeasures must be taken. These are less spectacular than you probably think at first and can look like this, for example:

• Radiators to increase the temperature in the office
• Appropriate clothing is provided
• Warm-up and break times are introduced

Important: If the temperature falls below the minimum values, then you do not have a direct right to refuse work. Your first point of contact should always be the works council. 

You are only allowed to stop work and go home when the working temperature in the office or factory building is so low that it endangers your health. However, you have the burden of proof, i.e. you have to prove the negative consequences on health. Here, too, you should first contact the works council.

There is also a simple, inexpensive way to ensure that you don't get cold so quickly at work: a height-adjustable desk, for example from desqup. It keeps your body constantly in motion, even if you hardly notice it. Thanks to so-called micro-movements, your body never stands still and you automatically get a little warmer - the height-adjustable desk also protects you for a healthier posture and better blood circulation.

All of these factors affect your perception of heat , even if the actual room temperature in the office has not changed. Would you like to learn more about this? Then have a look at the desqup website !

What is the ideal temperature in my office?

If you have an individual office, then you can usually decide for yourself how warm it should be there - at least within a certain framework of your employer. But in open-plan offices , disputes quickly arise when it comes to the room temperature . Some can work better at 19 degrees, while others are still freezing. People who are particularly prone to cold may even need 23 degrees so that they don't freeze while sitting. But what is the ideal temperature in the office?

Various factors are important in the office: concentration, productivity and efficiency - all of these points are favored by a cooler room temperature. This is because the brain is more oxygenated in a cooler room than in a heated one. However, women differ greatly from men here, because they are even more efficient at higher temperatures - so a middle ground should always be found when it comes to the temperature in the office.

Experts recommend a room temperature of 19 degrees Celsius in the office . This is neither too warm nor too cold for most people and is now standard in many offices. 

Inappropriate temperature in the office: I can do that

It can quickly happen that the temperature in the office does not match your expectations. If there are temperature fluctuations or your colleagues have agreed on a higher temperature , it quickly becomes uncomfortable for you. Here are some tips you can use to keep yourself comfortable .

Regular airing is a tip that can help you quickly if the temperature in the office is too high for you. The fresh air stimulates your oxygen supply and gives you a little boost of energy. It is best to set a timer so that you are reminded to air out every two hours at the latest. Even a tilted window can help if the temperature in the office is too high.

If you sit for a long time in a high temperature, your circulation slows down - you get tired and by the middle of the day you are sluggish and not as efficient as you could be. If you cannot influence the temperature in the office, then it is also important to heed a few tips. Regular changes of position ensure that your circulation gets going - even short walks help a lot here. You should also drink a lot (water!), because then you stay fit and concentrated for a long time even at high temperatures.

Tip: When choosing your workplace, you can make sure that you are not sitting in the warmest corner of the room. Find a shady spot that has adequate ventilation . 

Conclusion: temperature in the office

In Germany it is a great advantage that the temperature in the office is also subject to certain specifications . They respect human needs and make sure you don't have to worry about that at least in the workplace. If in doubt, you can contact the works council at any time if you think something is harmful to your health. However, if you follow the tips & temperature limits above, you do n't have to worry !

A height-adjustable desk from desqup has a major impact on your own temperature perception. The permanent movement and the better blood circulation will automatically make you warmer and you can also concentrate even better. Studies have also shown that people who work at a height-adjustable desk have a greater urge to move - which of course also promotes your health!