Hot weather affecting workplace focus for half of UK employees 

More than half of UK employees say hot weather makes it harder to stay focused and motivated at work, raising fresh questions about how employers support staff during warmer periods. 

Research from Jukebox Marketing, based on a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults in April 2026, found that 51 per cent of employees struggle with motivation and concentration when temperatures rise. 

The figure increases to 57 per cent among workers aged 18 to 34, compared with 49 per cent of those aged 35 to 54. 

The findings suggest heat is becoming a workplace wellbeing issue, with rising temperatures affecting comfort, performance and attendance. 

Workers in Norwich and Plymouth were most likely to report difficulties during hotter weather, at 64 per cent. Employees in Wales followed at 58 per cent, with Leeds at 57 per cent and Sheffield at 56 per cent. 

Even in Scotland, where workers were least likely to say they struggled, 44 per cent said hot weather affected their motivation. 

The research also found that 58 per cent of workers would prefer to work from home during a heatwave, while 65 per cent said an early finish on a Friday would improve morale. 

Stephen Jury, managing director of Jukebox Marketing, said heat can have a clear impact on productivity. 

“Uncomfortable heat can make you tired really easily, so it’s hardly a surprise that 51 per cent struggle to motivate themselves at work. Truth be told, a lot of people would like to be outside enjoying the sun. Our data found that 29 per cent are more likely to pull a sickie during summer, and it’s easy to see why. 

“This doesn’t mean that summer isn’t also stressful for a lot of workers. It’s not just financial pressures that can be overwhelming, a summer break itself, while meant to be relaxing, can actually have an opposite effect. Sometimes, the post-holiday blues hits early and Brits may worry about their workload before their break is over. In fact, our data found that this is the case for 41 per cent of employees. 

“Ultimately, if you want to keep up productivity during summer, it’s up to you to create a relaxing environment where your employees feel at ease and motivated to work. If you know that your office gets particularly stuffy, let your employees work from home if they feel it would help. For those that are coming in, please make sure your aircon is turned on, allow regular breaks if needed, and don’t overload your staff. It’s important that they work smart, as well as hard.” 

The research also found many employees would prefer direct financial support to seasonal workplace events. 

Nearly three quarters of workers said they would rather receive a financial bonus than attend a summer party. However, 44 per cent said they still enjoy socialising with colleagues during the summer. 

The findings come as employers face growing pressure to consider how workplace conditions affect health, wellbeing and performance during periods of extreme heat. 

With hotter summers becoming more common, workplace wellbeing strategies may need to include practical steps such as better ventilation, flexible working, regular breaks and clear guidance for managers on supporting staff during heatwaves.