Introduction
Dehydration in the workplace is not a trivial matter and will become increasingly significant. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the population of working individuals exposed to heatwaves has grown by 66% over two decades.
Symptoms and Effects of Dehydration
Fatigue, lack of concentration, and irritability are just a few of the consequences of dehydration at work, emphasizing the importance of water consumption during working hours, especially in high-temperature seasons. Low hydration levels in work environments diminish quality of life, productivity, and coworker relationships.
“Dehydration affects symptoms such as fatigue or low performance, impacting basic work functions like concentration and short-term and long-term memory,” explains Marisol Vásquez, coordinator of the Affor Health Psychology Hub in Mexico.
Legislative Efforts and Access to Water
In March, the Vaso de Agua Law was presented in the Senate, a proposal aiming to ensure access to water during working hours in both private and public sectors. The project brought the importance of water as a human right and a necessary aspect in workspaces to public attention.
“Lack of access to water in the working environment puts proper cognitive functioning at risk,” says Marisol Vásquez. “If a person is dehydrated, and combined with lack of sleep and poor nutrition, attention and memory are reduced. When we don’t hydrate properly, there is an inflammatory process in cells that does not allow the production of substances in the brain necessary for cognitive processes.”
Expert Insights on Hydration and Cognitive Functions
Jorge Gutiérrez Siles, senior consultant at Kaysa Health and Wellness, specifies that the ideal water consumption is eight to twelve glasses daily. However, in hot environments with high sweating, the recommendation can be up to one liter per hour. “When we feel thirsty, we already have a certain degree of dehydration,” he adds.
Gutiérrez Siles agrees on the link between hydration and cognitive functions: concentration and alertness. “This prevents physical and mental exhaustion, reducing potential accidents or risks. Moreover, proper hydration helps prevent heat stress, which can cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, irritability, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.”
According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), by 2030, heat stress will reduce global working hours by 2%. “Rising temperatures make heat stress more common, leading to significant losses in working hours, jobs, and labor productivity,” warns the organization in its report “Labor Markets and Climate Change: How to Adapt Labor Policies and Improve Employment Opportunities?”
Legal Recognition of Water as a Labor Right
Despite the importance of water consumption at work, Mexico lacks legal recognition of water as a labor right; it is only a benefit for agricultural workers. However, since 1964, the ILO’s Convention 120 has established access to potable water as a workers’ right, ratified by Mexico four years later.
“Hydration attention is crucial,” Gutiérrez Siles emphasizes. “We could ask how much it affects, but studies indicate that a 1.5% body hydration deficit reduces memory by up to 10%, and each reduction in this function increases the likelihood of accidents.”
Marisol Vásquez highlights that dehydration is not an isolated issue. “Dehydration interacts with other psychosocial risk factors and relates to how workers present or absent themselves; for example, dehydration affecting concentration and performance can trigger presenteeism.”
Experts agree that while access to water at work is a good measure, it is only one of many actions needed to address dehydration as a labor risk.
“It’s important to implement these initiatives, but not view them in isolation; they should be complemented with active breaks, healthy eating promotion, and self-care habits,” adds the Affor Health specialist.
Workplace Implications Beyond Cognitive Functions
The implications of dehydration extend beyond cognitive function deterioration and performance, also impacting the organizational climate and coworker relationships.
“This is a matter of work health and organizational climate, as heat-induced headaches increase irritability, often leading to workplace violence. We might be more annoyed going to the office, generating low labor commitment,” explains Jorge Gutiérrez.
Marisol Vásquez concurs that workplace dehydration and the resulting irritability can affect relationship quality in the organizational environment.
Experts stress the importance of considering water as a health aspect at work and a key to productivity, especially in sectors more exposed to high temperatures and vulnerable populations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the effects of dehydration at work? Dehydration can cause fatigue, lack of concentration, and irritability, impacting cognitive functions, productivity, and work relationships.
- Why is access to water crucial in the workplace? Adequate hydration supports cognitive functions, prevents heat stress, and contributes to overall well-being and productivity.
- What legal framework exists for water access in the workplace? The ILO’s Convention 120 (1964) established access to potable water as a workers’ right, ratified by Mexico in 1968.
- How does dehydration impact organizational climate? Dehydration can lead to increased irritability, potentially causing workplace violence and reduced labor commitment.
- What additional measures can address dehydration as a labor risk? Complementing water access with active breaks, healthy eating promotion, and self-care habits can help mitigate dehydration risks.
