Too cold at work? What the law says and what to do
The minimum workplace temperature in the UK, what your employer must do, and how to keep warm at your desk or in a home office without a huge bill.
What the law says
In Great Britain, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require the temperature in indoor workplaces to be reasonable during working hours. The Approved Code of Practice says it should normally be at least 16 °C, or 13 °C if the work involves rigorous physical effort. There is no legal maximum. Northern Ireland has equivalent rules with the same figures.
What to do if your workplace is too cold
Measure it
Note the temperature at your desk at different times of day.
Tell your manager
Your employer must assess the risk and take reasonable steps: fix the heating, stop draughts, allow warm clothing or extra breaks.
Ask about a heater
Many workplaces restrict personal heaters for electrical safety: ask first. If allowed, choose one with tip-over and overheat protection.
Get advice
Your union or safety representative, or the HSE, can advise if nothing changes.
Working from home: heat the office, not the house
An 8-hour working day heating a whole 7 kW home with gas central heating costs roughly £2.98. Heating just a small home office with a 650 W oil filled radiator on its thermostat costs about 82.1p, a heated throw over your legs about 31.6p and a 55 W heated foot mat about 11.6p for the whole day. Close the office door and keep the rest of the house cooler. More in under-desk heaters and foot warmers and heating a garden office.
Estimates at the Ofgem price cap (electricity 26.32p/kWh, gas 7.97p/kWh with a 90 % efficient boiler), heating about 60 % of the time.
Best heaters for a cold office or home office
OLYDON Heated Floor Mat Under Desk 55W
- Under-desk heater · 55 W
- A 55 W heated mat to rest your feet on under the desk, with 7 temperature settings and a 3-hour auto-off: a full working day costs a few pence.
- Costs 1.4p an hour at full power.
Dreo Atom 316 Ceramic Heater 1500W
- Fan heater · 1,500 W
- One of the most-reviewed ceramic heaters on Amazon UK: quiet (34 dB), digital thermostat, 12-hour timer and remote. Warms a bedroom or home office in minutes.
- Costs 39.5p an hour at full power.
Russell Hobbs RHOFR3001W 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator
- Oil filled radiator · 650 W
- Small 650 W oil radiator with adjustable thermostat for rooms up to 10 m²: one of the cheapest ways to keep a small room or office warm for hours.
- Costs 17.1p an hour at full power.
If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. The price is the same for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum temperature for working in an office in the UK?
The Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace Regulations 1992 says at least 16 °C, or 13 °C for work involving rigorous physical effort. The legal duty is that the temperature must be reasonable.
Can I go home if it is too cold at work?
There is no automatic right to leave. Raise it with your employer, who must take reasonable steps; your union, safety representative or the HSE can advise.
Is there a maximum workplace temperature?
No. Employers must still keep the temperature reasonable and manage the risk of heat stress.
What is the cheapest way to keep warm while working from home?
Heat only the room you work in, with the door shut: a small oil filled radiator on its thermostat or a heated throw over your legs (3.9p an hour) cost far less than heating the whole house.
Running costs use the Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: average unit rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit (26.32p/kWh, standing charge 54.83p/day) and gas (7.97p/kWh). National averages; your region and tariff may differ. Prices on Amazon change: check the live price before you buy.