The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has appealed to employers to show 'common sense' and allow flexible working for staff desperate to watch England's World Cup last-16 match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am on Monday morning and could run until nearly 3am, or later if extra time is needed.
Union Calls for Flexibility
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'World Cup fever has gripped the UK, with millions of workers across the country cheering on the Three Lions. The timing of England's match against Mexico is not ideal for fans. That's why we are appealing to employers to show some common sense and understanding by allowing their staff to work flexibly where possible.'
The plea comes as fans face the agonising choice between staying up late to support the team or missing the match. While some workers, such as emergency staff and carers, have no choice but to work as usual, others may benefit from adjusted schedules.
Business Groups Back the Call
Alex Hall-Chen from the Institute of Directors said: 'Not many people will be at their sharpest after an England match that finishes in the middle of the night. Where businesses can accommodate it, a little flexibility on Monday morning could go a long way. Allowing a slightly later start, hybrid working or making use of flexible hours can be a sensible way to boost morale and recognise that major sporting occasions are important moments for many employees.'
Data from Gong Labs shows that firms have scheduled almost a third fewer meetings for Monday morning as a result of the early game. CEO Amit Bendov said: 'Our latest data suggests early morning meeting cancellations are already running above a typical Monday, and UK teams have booked roughly 30% fewer morning meetings than usual.'
Millions to Stay Up
An estimated 17.8 million fans are forecast to stay up to watch the match, according to VoucherCodes. Of these, 14.3 million will watch from home, while 3.5 million plan to head to pubs and hospitality venues, which have extended licensing hours until 5am thanks to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to relax restrictions.
Research by AO.com suggests more than a quarter of people are considering calling in sick or arriving late to work.
Schools and Children
England manager Thomas Tuchel suggested children should be allowed to stay up, saying: 'Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on. There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.'
Some schools have responded positively. St Catherine's Academy in Bolton will allow pupils to arrive at 10am, while London Colney Primary School will screen a full replay at 9am. Smith's Wood primary in the West Midlands will show highlights in assembly. However, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson insisted students should still arrive on time, telling BBC Newsnight: 'I'm not going to make requests on parents around bedtime. But please let's try and get our kids in on Monday too.'
Pubs Prepare for Early Morning Rush
Pubs are bracing for a surge in sales, with the British Beer and Pub Association expecting up to a million extra pints sold. CEO Emma McClarkin said: 'The timing of the match is unprecedented for the sector so, with more pubs opening, we expect there to be up to a million extra pints sold off the back of the game. Many will head to their local for this one-off occasion to enjoy the atmosphere, and it may be that amongst the pints we also see a lift in no and low beers, hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks sales.'
Dawn Slater, who runs the Garricks Head in Urmston near Manchester, said: 'We are inundated with bookings, we'll be full to capacity. We take table bookings and now they're all gone. It will be first come first serve for the standing area.'
