For a 10-year-old, the World Cup is a dream come true. Run home from school and football is already on the television, parents are inclined to allow a late night and even when an England game clashes with class time, the teachers wheel in a television and you all sit and watch it.

However, once in full-time employment, those afternoon England games become slightly harder to keep an eye on. Worse still, the evening England games can lead to alcohol-induced absences from work the following day.

Occasionally, the time difference between the UK and the host country of the World Cup means only minimal problems are caused.

In 2010, however, the timings are particularly bad. A number of the games in South Africa will kick off at 12.30pm and 3pm during standard working hours – two-thirds of the group games to be exact.  

Imperfect match
These afternoon kick-offs include England’s potentially crucial final group game against Algeria – on 23 June at 3pm the nation may come to a standstill.

For employers, an event like the World Cup is an unwelcome distraction. While many a boss will be as big a football fan as their staff, they have a business to think about and giving an entire workforce a month off is not an option. Even if time is allowed for the odd afternoon, there will still be the little matter of ‘sickness’ to keep an eye on.

Lisa Clark, a solicitor at Marsden Rawsthorn, says businesses should make the rules clear regarding holidays and sickness absences before the tournament begins.

There is no legal entitlement for employees to choose when to take holidays, she says. However, employers may consider taking a more flexible approach. A small number of companies may introduce flexible working hours for their workforce in order to prevent people from taking sickness absence or using the internet to view the matches in work time.
In the event of an illness, it is possible for an employer to question the validity of the claim. However, it is important that the decision makers are aware of the company’s own policies regarding payment of sick pay, because payment refusal is potentially a breach of contract.

Worst hit companies during the tournament will be small printers, who are less likely to be able to bear the brunt of increased ‘illness’ and unlikely to be as flexible in allowing staff to watch games during work time.

The Federation of Small Business (FSB) and Abbey Legal Protection have produced guidance on how small businesses can avoid issues.

The organisations have said that the England team’s early fixture list lends itself well to UK working hours, but both are concerned that as the team advances, over-exuberance may take over and hangover absence is likely to follow.

Game plan
Mike Cherry, policy chairman at the FSB, says: Both employers and their staff need to look at celebrating the World Cup realistically. Employers need to be aware of the impact that unplanned absence could have on their ability to trade and employees need to know that ‘throwing a sickie’, rather than ask­­ing for time off, could result in disciplinary procedures.
The FSB advises employers to show willing by offering longer breaks, coupled with earlier starts or later finishes, to make up the time. Allow­ing staff to listen to the radio or having a television in the background, along with granting unpaid leave, are other options.

It also suggests that any illness should be supported by an accompanying medical reference, while one person should also be made responsible for monitoring illness during the tournament, so employees know they are being watched.
One way around the problem is to be as flexible as possible with employees, a philosophy that Alchemy Coatings managing director Nigel Anderson believes in.

Extra time
He says: We run 24-hour shifts so there is always somebody who is going to miss out. When England play, we down tools to watch the game, but if anyone has a request to watch other games, I will accommodate what I can.

Although it may be seen as a costly activity, Marsden Rawsthorn’s Clark believes that a good run by England in 2010 could give a much needed boost.

She says: Some companies are setting up facilities in the workplace to watch the games. This is an astute way to keep office moral high and ensure a level of commitment and dedication from employees.

Regardless of actions taken in advance, there will always be those that try to take ad­­vantage, but if actions are taken in advance, upheaval can be minimalised.

If England do make the final on 11 July, though, it may be advised to work employees hard on the preceding Friday, as regardless of the result, 12 July 2010 is likely to be the least productive day in the history of UK industry.