Legal advice from Parveen Bunglawala, a specialist employment solicitor at FDR Law, Warrington
Score a hit with your staff during the World Cup 2014
Q: How do I keep my staff focused on work during the Football World Cup?
A: Football-friendly flexibility is the key to keeping your staff happy and motivated during the World Cup, which kicks off on 12th June.
Depending on the make-up of your workforce and your business sector, bosses would be wise to show a bit of give and take during the frenzied month of international fixtures. How you pitch your approach could score you some great wins with your staff for being an understanding boss or see you isolated in your managerial dug-out for many months to come.
Some advance planning will pay dividends in keeping your business on track. England’s games are scheduled for Saturday 14th June, 11pm, against Italy, Thursday 19th June, 8pm, against Uruguay, and Tuesday 24th June, 5pm, against Costa Rica.
You might want to consider offering flexible start times after important games the night before or earlier finishes to allow workers a chance to get home in time for kick-off. Maybe you are in a position to install a television in the office or a communal area during the competition for special occasions.
It is natural for employees to want to know where they stand and it would be helpful to both sides to state what is expected of staff during this period. They need to know that absence or ‘pulling a sickie’ is not acceptable, nor is turning up at the workplace under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
However if you can reward their loyalty and reliability with a little flexibility, the World Cup could give a serious lift to workplace morale – whether England do well or not.
For all aspects of employment law, contact me on 01925 230000 or email parveen.bunglawala@fdrlaw.co.uk
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