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

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

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

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin