Order of His Magnificence Rector regarding shortening working hours during hot weather

On June 24th, 2026, the Order of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology No. 76/2026 was published on shortening working hours due to periodically occurring heatwaves.

The order reads:

Acting pursuant to Art. 23 sec. 1 of the Act of July 20, 2018 - Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, as amended), in connection with § 15 section 1 of the Regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 26 September 1997 on general occupational health and safety regulations (consolidated text Journal of Laws of 2003, No. 169, item 1650, as amended) and Article 145 § 1 of the Act of 26 June 1974 - the Labour Code (consolidated text Journal of Laws of 2025, item 277, as amended), after taking into account the request of the University Social Labor Inspector, the following is ordered:

1. It is possible to shorten the working time of employees working in rooms without air conditioning, where the air temperature exceeds 28°C, to 1 p.m.

2. The above option can be applied until August 31, 2026, and the decision is made each time by the head of the division/basic unit, provided that shifts enabling the continuity of the unit/cell’s work are ensured. The reduction of working hours must also be agreed with the Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate, which maintains an appropriate register.

3. In order to reduce the burden of work related to persistently high air temperatures in the summer, I hereby oblige the heads of organizational units/cells to:

1) ensuring adequate air exchange in work rooms (regular ventilation of rooms, equipping work rooms with fans, air conditioning).

2) using of available technical solutions to prevent excessive sunlight in work rooms (roller blinds, shutters, etc.).

The Order shall come into force on the date of signature.