MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — Tom Lester was tucked away in an office, hard at work Monday. Usually, he would be outside evaluation property for the county PVA office.

But for the first time in 16 years, he was inside in the air conditioning.

"It was a surprise to get a text message she was going to keep us in because it had never happened before," he said of his boss' decision to keep him and his colleagues inside for the next week.

"To me, it was just common sense to keep them in," Property Valuation Administrator Nancy Bock said. "Their safety means much more to me than them being caught up on work. We can make that up."

Other offices across the area closed their doors or changed their hours.

Management at National Maintenance & Repair of Kentucky have begun bringing in employees at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. so they can be out the door by 12:30 p.m., the hottest part of the day.

On a normal day, the repair shop that services the boating industry, is around 105 degrees. So, the company has added more than 50 fans.

Also, there's a constant flow of Gatorade and a never-ending supply of Popsicles to help cool down.

"Every degree makes a difference," supervisor Bethel Parrish said, adding he was extremely grateful for the changes.

And speaking of those degrees, Tom Lester, who admitted he prefers working outside, is hoping for a break.

"If it was 85 tomorrow, I'd be back out tomorrow."

The National Weather Service of Paducah has extended the excessive heat warning until 7 p.m. Friday.

The companies interviewed for this story said they would keep their current practices in place until the temperatures subside.