A recent study revealed the impact of high temperatures this summer on worker productivity, costing the United States billions of dollars in economic activity.
Research shows that occupations that require intensive labor in open areas are most vulnerable to the negative effects of high temperatures, as excessive heat can also impair the mental abilities of workers, according to the American CBS Network.
A 2023 study by Chinese researchers showed that such weather can increase absenteeism and lead workers to quit early, thus reducing the number of hours they spend on the job.
A separate study confirmed that exposure to temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit causes workers to shorten their workdays by an average of one hour, compared to when air temperatures are 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Experts warned that as climate change leads to more extreme weather, productivity losses are expected to worsen over time.
