An employers guide to avoiding World Cup woes

By KMC Human Resources

15 May 2014

Whilst many of us look forward to the World Cup; eager to cheer on and support the national team as they travel to Brazil in June; this time every four years (or two if you include the European Championships) can be a big headache for employers.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

Increases in unauthorised absenteeism, staff all wanting to take holidays at the same time and employees coming into work under the influence of alcohol are all problems reported by employers around the time of major sporting events. So how can you ensure that as an employer, you strike a fair balance between maintaining an efficient and productive workforce and allowing staff to follow the national football team?

Due to the time difference between the UK and South America, the majority of games in the 2014 World Cup will kick off in the evening, with the earliest kick off time being at 5pm. Unless you operate an evening and night-shift, this may cause less disruption than in previous tournaments in terms of staff taking unauthorised days off.

On the other hand, however, there is likely to be an increase in demand for flexible working on those days to allow time for employees to get home. The consumption of alcohol during evening matches is also likely to be higher than on normal weekday evenings, which may result in more self inflicted days off or reduced performance in the workplace on days following matches.

Having a clear policy that is communicated to employees well in advance of the World Cup, advising them that they need to book time off well in advance should they want to take it, may go some way to reducing unauthorised absenteeism. Employers need to remember that it is not just England matches they need to be concerned about; employees of other nationalities need to be treated fairly and consistently to avoid any claims of discrimination.

Another route you could consider is to implement a policy that states that during the World Cup, any unexpected absences from work will be reported to a higher level of management. This could act as a deterrent to employees taking a ‘sickie’.

Another issue that may arise this World Cup is the widespread use of social media and the availability of devices for employees to engage in social media-based football debate during work time. Again, you should make clear your policy on social media usage, directing staff to revisit the company social media policy in advance of the tournament commencing. If you do not have a social media policy in place, now may well be an ideal time to look at implementing one. See our website for a previous blog on the topic of preparing a social media policy for your workplace.

Should you suspect that an employee has taken an unauthorised days’ absence, or broken the company rules on social media usage, and you have evidence to support these suspicions, you may have cause to initiate disciplinary action. In this event, you will need to follow your company disciplinary process as set out in your company handbook, whilst always ensuring you exercise consistency across your workforce.

Overall, it is important to offer a fair approach during this time and to try and turn World Cup fever into something positive. You may want to use World Cup matches as an opportunity to have company staff events where you can all get together and watch the match, or use the opportunity to finish early to watch matches as an incentive or staff reward. For help and advice either in preparation for the World Cup, or indeed any other advice in relation to your employment policies and procedures, please do get in touch with us.

Latest news

1

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

2

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change University of Lancashire new feature

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change

12 Sep 2025

3

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

4

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

5

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin