One in Twenty Polish Offices is a Glass Trap: New Labor Regulations Loom

As heatwaves grip Poland, new Ministry of Labor regulations set for 2027 will mandate that employers suspend work and provide full pay when office temperatures reach critical, unsafe levels.

The Reality of Uncooled Workspaces

A recent analysis by BNM Real Estate Advisory across Poland’s seven largest commercial markets reveals that nearly 5% of office buildings lack stationary air conditioning systems. This equates to one in every twenty office locations operating without proper cooling infrastructure.

Łódź reports the highest rate of non-cooled buildings at 13%. This is largely attributed to the city’s historic architecture, where former factories and heritage tenements converted into offices present significant challenges for retrofitting modern cooling systems due to conservation restrictions and high costs.

Human Performance and Extreme Heat

Working in overheated environments leads to more than just physical discomfort. Scientific data shows that when indoor temperatures reach 30°C, human cognitive function declines significantly. A Finnish-American study indicates that office productivity drops by approximately 9% compared to optimal conditions between 21°C and 22°C.

Legislative Shift in Workplace Safety

Current Polish law requires employers to provide free drinking water once the office reaches 28°C, but decisions regarding shorter hours or sending employees home currently rest on the employer’s discretion. The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy is preparing a revolution in health and safety regulations to take effect in 2027.

The upcoming code of conduct introduces strict temperature limits. While exemptions will apply to sectors such as emergency services, public transport, healthcare, and catering, owners of older, uncooled buildings will face a choice: invest in modern cooling technology or risk total work stoppages during summer heatwaves.