BOSSES were urged to relax dress codes and keep offices cool yesterday to help workers cope with the heatwave as the mercury is expected to hit 34°C this week.

The TUC suggested allowing staff to work flexible hours to avoid travelling in the rush hour, providing fans and cold drinks and letting workers wear lightweight and casual clothes.

Staff are not legally expected to work when the temperature drops below 16°C, or 13°C if they are do physically demanding work, but there are no restrictions for when the workplace becomes too hot.

The TUC has long campaigned for a legal maximum of 30°C, or 27°C for strenuous work.

General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s no fun working in a baking office or factory and employers should do all they can to take the temperature down.

“The most simple way for staff to keep cool inside when it’s scorching outside is being able to work in more casual clothing.

“While shorts and vest tops may not be appropriate for all, nobody should be made to wilt in the heat for the sake of keeping up appearances.

“Bosses who provide a cool and comfortable work environment are going to get more out of their staff.”

The current heatwave is the longest since 1976. It is also the driest summer so far since 1961, with only 43mm of rain, according to the Met Office.

The last day of widespread rainfall for the east and south-east England was May 29.

The weather forecasters added that very hot conditions are expected to continue in the east, Midlands, and south-east of England throughout the week, to peak at around 34°C on Thursday or Friday.