Employers are being urged to allow staff to clock off early or watch the World Cup in the office as England prepare for their first tea-time kick-off of the competition against DR Congo.
By not taking necessary action, bosses reduce the risk of unauthorised absence or lost productivity, HR bosses have claimed.
As soon as England’s victory over Panama on Saturday confirmed the last-32 clash with DR Congo on Wednesday at 5pm, football fans across the country were no doubt checking their diaries to ensure they could watch the game.
But with most people’s working days finishing at 5pm, or even 6pm, some will have feared missing some of the match.
In its advice to employers ahead of the competition, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said flexibility around working hours during the “uniquely high level of interest” in the World Cup could be appreciated by the workforce.
David D’Souza, director of profession at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “Flexibility around working hours, such as earlier finishes or later starts to accommodate evening or early-morning games can often be appreciated, however any flexibility should be proportionate and aligned with business needs.”
Stephen Simpson, principal editor at HR Consultancy Brightmine, also urged employers to get ahead of potential disruption caused by workers wanting to watch the game.
He told Personnel Today: “Policies such as allowing staff to adjust their hours so they can watch evening, overnight or early morning games and make up the time elsewhere reduces the risk of unauthorised absence or lost productivity.
“Employers could also consider putting matches on in the workplace, so that employees are less likely to watch it in secret – or worse, pull a ‘sicky’ to catch it with no perceived consequences. The World Cup is a foreseeable event. Employers that set clear policies now will be far better placed to minimise disruption and maintain employee relations through the tournament and beyond.”
On social media, pubs showing Wednesday’s game have been sharing fun ways for supporters to make sure they can watch the game, with The Steeplechase in Uttoexeter sharing a spoof doctor’s note to leave work early signed by the “pub doctor”.
Content creator Adam the CCO wrote: “England kick off at 5pm against DR Congo and it’s going to cause carnage in workplaces across the country. Leaving early, hiding in the toilets, or just accepting you’re calling in sick Thursday morning.”
If England overcome DR Congo, a team that qualified from the group stage as the top-ranked third-place side, the Three Lions will face Mexico in the last 16, with kick-off on Tuesday morning at 1am, presenting another potential headache for workers and employers alike.
But it isn’t all bad news, with pubs reporting an almost 300 per cent surge in bookings during England games at the competition.
James Nicandrou, associate director at Opinium, said: “With millions of young adults planning to watch World Cup matches in pubs, the tournament looks likely to provide a welcome spending boost to the economy.
“More widely, our research suggests pubs continue to occupy an important place in community life, particularly for the young and those in rural areas, as spaces where people can come together to share moments – big and small.”
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