{
  "id": 19430251,
  "title": "Labor law: Can I refuse to work in the cold?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/arbeitsrecht-darf-ich-bei-kalte-die-arbeit-verweigern",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-11T02:11:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/arbeitsrecht-darf-ich-bei-kaelte-die-arbeit-verweigern/100268912.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Employees who find their workplace too cold in winter should complain to their supervisor or HR department to protect their health. If a workplace safety specialist is designated, they should be contacted first. If the employer does not respond adequately to concerns, employees can also contact the works council or the relevant union, such as ver.di. In cases of acute health risk due to cold temperatures, employees may be able to refuse work, but should first seek advice from their union or a labour law expert to avoid potential consequences such as lost pay or further disciplinary action.",
  "summary": "If the prescribed minimum temperatures at the workplace are not met, employees should protect their health. This is what needs to be done.",
  "key_points": [
    "Employees can question workplace coldness during winter in Germany.",
    "Union lawyer advises reporting to supervisor or personnel department.",
    "Voluntary work stoppage allowed if health risk from extreme cold."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}