🌞 Keep Your Team Cool (Literally) During the UK Heatwave

Hello readers!

Let’s face it – British buildings aren’t exactly made for 30-degree weather. While we’re used to chilly boardrooms and rainy-day meetings, this week calls for something different: heatwave survival mode.

With temperatures soaring across the UK, it's time to press pause on ‘business as usual’ and help your team stay cool, calm, and collected. After all, happy, comfortable staff are productive staff (and they genuinely appreciate the care).

1. Embrace flexible working

Let people shift their hours to avoid the hottest part of the day, or work from home where they can manage their own environment. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development recommends this approach - and it’s an easy win.

2. Create cooling zones in the workplace

Not everyone can work from home. So, whether it’s a shared fan, a shaded area, or a meeting room turned chill-out space, a designated cool zone can make all the difference. Portable air con, chilled drinks and a stash of ice lollies are small gestures that go a long way.

3. Prioritise hydration & rest breaks

Encourage regular drink breaks and keep water readily available. Bring out iced drinks, fruit, or infusers. Encourage short walk-arounds or stretch breaks in cooler corners. Small intervals can massively boost comfort - and productivity.

4. Reschedule heavy workloads

Avoid back-to-back calls or the most demanding tasks during the hottest parts of the day. Where possible, move things around to take advantage of cooler mornings or evenings. Don’t forget to check in on client visits too - if it’s sweltering, a Zoom might be kinder all round.

5. Educate so everyone helps

A quick heat-awareness chat could save heads and energy. Explain warning signs (dizziness, cramps, excessive sweating), and ask team members to watch each other. A buddy-system doesn’t just work on construction sites - it works in accountancy offices too!

Why this matters for your brand

• Team morale: Demonstrating care in heated times - literally - makes staff feel appreciated and engaged.

• Client perception: A happy team reflects great business culture. News travels fast - positively.

• Productivity: Comfort = focus. Cooler staff make fewer mistakes - even on spreadsheets!

• Wellbeing: Heat stress isn’t a joke. By staying alert to it we’re embracing responsible business behaviour in line with best practices.

  
  

✅ Quick checklist for the week

Action	Timing	Notes
Flexible start times	Immediately	Avoid 12–3 pm where possible
Designate “cool zone”	Today	Equip it with fans, drinks, shade
Hydration station	Today	Water, iced tea, infuser bottles
Short breaks promotion	Daily	Send reminders mid-morning & afternoon
Heat-awareness reminder	Today	Explain risks, signs, and buddy system

Final thought

Who says accountancy lives only in figures and compliance? This week, let’s also be masters of comfort - showing our people care and our leadership flair. Why not tag your team in for a “cool selfie” challenge or reward the most summery desk setup? A bit of fun goes a long, cool way.

Stay chilled (and check in on one another),

Charlotte

Chartered Certified Accountant & Tax Advisor

Derbyshire Accountants