Prescription against heat: public health officials call for a siesta in Germany – at least in summer

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Fan in office (symbolic image)

Photo: Wolfram Kastl / dpa

Overheated offices, lethargy after lunch, and in the worst case even health problems: the hot season also demands a lot from the working population in Germany. A simple recipe from the southern part of the continent could certainly help – assuming flexibility on the part of the employer.

Because of the high temperatures, the medical officers are calling for the introduction of a siesta based on the southern European model in Germany. "In the heat, we should orient ourselves to the working methods of southern countries: Getting up early, working productively in the morning and taking a siesta at noon is a concept that we should adopt in the summer months," said the chairman of the Federal Association of Doctors of the Public Health Service (BVÖGD), Johannes Nießen, the newspapers of the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).

"In intense heat, people are not as efficient as usual," Nießen continued. »Poor sleep with a lack of cooling at night also leads to concentration problems.«

From the point of view of the physician, complex work requirements should be postponed until the early hours of the morning. "In addition, there is a need for sufficient fans and lighter clothing, even if the dress code in the office does not allow it." It is also important to drink much more and to eat light food in several smaller portions. "A cold foot bath under the desk would be another way to cool down in the home office," said Nießen.

Employers must protect employees – even from heat

Meanwhile, DGB board member Anja Piel called on employers to regularly prepare heat risk assessments during the summer months to ensure occupational health and safety during high temperatures. "Employers must protect their employees from the heat - working in the heat is stressful for employees and, in the worst case, endangers their health," she told the RND newspapers. »Risk assessments are the basis for tailor-made protection.«

These are still not a standard in companies, Piel continued. She spoke of a "failure on the part of employers, which is completely unacceptable in view of climate change and extremely hot summers". Piel also called for offices with temperatures above 35 degrees to be closed, unless the employer offers aids such as air showers.

jok/AFP