Arbeitsrecht: Darf ich bei Kälte die Arbeit verweigern?
Wenn die vorgeschriebenen Mindesttemperaturen am Arbeitsplatz unterschritten werden, sollten Beschäftigte ihre Gesundheit schützen. Das ist zu tun.
In Germany, workers have the right to question whether their workplace is too cold during winter months. According to Daniel Stach, a union lawyer from the Gewerkschaft ver.di in Berlin, employees should promptly complain to their immediate supervisor or the personnel department to protect their health. If a workplace safety specialist is appointed, they become the first point of contact.
If the employer does not respond adequately to concerns raised by the workforce, employees may also involve the works council or the relevant trade union.
However, in cases of an immediate health risk due to extreme cold at the workplace, workers may voluntarily stop working. Stach, the union lawyer, clarifies that in the most severe situations, employees can exercise their right to refuse work to protect their health. It is crucial for employees to seek advice from their trade union or a professional labor lawyer before taking such action, as failing to meet the conditions for the right to refuse work may result in lost wages and other legal consequences.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
