The U.S. has seen the hottest summer on record, and 2025 isn’t likely to be any cooler. But are employers prepared for the impact of extreme heat on their workers?
According to global consulting firm Mercer, 25% of employers nationwide have reported that their workers are feeling the impact of extreme heat. When looking at industries that involve working outdoors, like construction, that number jumps to 46%, with 41% of employers noticing an impact on business operations too. Exposure to extreme heat can cause anything from irritability and poor mental processing to heart attacks and strokes — employee health, safety and productivity are at risk, and as global warming accelerates, the problem is only going to get worse, even in regions of the world unaccustomed to extreme heat.
