Working from home as an adaptation strategy to heat: Comparing temperatures and workers’ assessments for 203 offices and 107 homes

Abstract

This contribution considers whether working from home (WFH) can be an effective adaptation to increasing summer heat for office workers. The mixed-method study presents temperature data from 203 offices and 107 home workspaces in Southern Germany, along with survey data from >100 workers at both locations during a hot period in June 2023. Home workplaces had both lower mean temperatures and less occurrence of elevated temperatures or overheating (operationalised as degree hours above 26 °C and 30 °C) than passive offices. A comparison with mechanically cooled offices is offered, but should be interpreted cautiously due to the small N and energy saving measures being in place at the time. Measured temperatures had significant effects on workers’ perceived heat stress and productivity in a mixed-effects regression model. Individual variables age, gender, general activity level and general thermal preference were also explored. Barriers for WFH were explored through stakeholder interviews. We conclude that flexible WFH can be a means to protect workers’ health depending on the specific office and work situation, and could offer workers better adaptive options and potentially a slight psychological benefit.