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World Cup guidance for employers

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With the World Cup underway, and debates about the best policy to adopt with staff issues during the tournament raging, here are some tips for employers to manage the issue sensibly.

If you employ staff, Acas recommend that you;

• Be flexible wherever possible to avoid discriminatory practice
• If possible, provide a 'rest area' with a television screen so that individuals can use their breaks to watch the match
• Be aware that we live in a diverse and multinational society with a range of national games that people want to watch
• Ensure that staff are aware of any restrictive policies already in place, such as absence, web/internet and drugs and alcohol.

There's also advice from the FSB and legal advisers Abbey Legal who have produced a fact-sheet on how businesses can avoid employment problems during the tournament;

"Employers need to be aware of the impact that unplanned absence could have on their ability to trade. Employees need to know that throwing a sickie rather than asking for time off could cost them dearly.

"If such issues are sorted out before the first game kicks off then everyone can relax, enjoy the matches and make sure that things get done in the workplace. Firms and their staff can reap the financial reward of the feel good factor that accompanies the World Cup without any disputes spoiling the party atmosphere."

Tips for businesses in the fact-sheet include:

• Setting out the leave policy to staff before the tournament starts.

• Planning absences in advance to ensure sufficient workers are on the premises to carry on the business at all times.

• Instigating a flexi-time approach for the tournament so that hours lost watching the games are made up afterwards.

• Allowing radios or TVs into the workplace where appropriate (providing the firm has a valid TV licence for the premises).

• Requiring a medical certificate for any absences during the tournament.

• Re-stating the disciplinary procedures of the firm regarding unauthorised absences before the tournament starts.

Meanwhile Business Link expect, 'business to become a World Cup winner with flexible working'. According to their research the majority of UK businesses expect to see increased productivity during the World Cup due to changes in working practices.

The research shows that 60% of respondents will use flexible working practices to help staff work their time around the World Cup schedule. Some businesses are extending this to allow flexi-time for employees supporting different countries.

The reason for this flexible approach is that 62% of businesses polled believe that employees are more collaborative and more enthusiastic at work when given the opportunity to follow the World Cup with their colleagues.

Enabling employees to feel more in control of their working life can lead to increased productivity, lower absenteeism, a less-stressed workforce and promotes you as a business that people want to work for.

“Handled the right way, the World Cup can bring energy into the workplace and provide a great way for employers to trial longer-term flexible working practices. Bringing in a TV may sound like a distraction, but with just under half of businesses saying they will show the matches at work, it is more likely to bring people together,” believes Kim Fletcher of Business Link Kent.

The research found that 50% of respondents believe winning the World Cup may have a positive impact on their overall business, with less than 12% of those surveyed expecting productivity levels to fall.

Well, if it's good for business, "Come on En-ger-land"!

Posted June 9, 2006