England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup, with their next match against Mexico scheduled for 1am BST on Monday. The early kick-off time poses a dilemma for football fans who want to stay up and watch the game but also have work commitments the next day. Many supporters may face little or no sleep before heading to work on Monday morning.
What Are the Rules for Taking Time Off?
Workplace experts have outlined the employment rules surrounding such circumstances. Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, has published guidance to help employers and employees prepare for potential issues during the World Cup period. According to Acas, employers are under no obligation to make special arrangements for World Cup matches, but some may offer flexibility if it suits the business. Any unauthorised absence could lead to formal proceedings.
Acas stated: "The World Cup is a big sporting event for many workers who may want to follow their favourite football team and enjoy the event. Some staff may want to book time off to go to the World Cup or attend special group events in the UK. Others will want to use the internet or their phones to stay updated on the match results. Acas advises employers to plan ahead and have agreements in place that cover requests for time off, sickness absence and flexible working hours during this period."
Can Employers Offer Flexibility?
Acas suggests several options for employers who wish to accommodate staff. These include allowing a more flexible working day, such as starting later or finishing earlier, with an agreement to make up the time. Given the time difference between the UK and the host countries, this is particularly relevant. Employers could also permit staff to listen to the radio or watch TV during work shifts, take breaks during match times, or swap shifts with manager approval.
Acas emphasises: "It is important to be fair and consistent with all staff if you allow additional benefits during the World Cup. Any change in hours or flexibility in working hours should be approved before the event." Regarding annual leave, Acas adds: "Employees should remember that it may not always be possible to book holiday. The key is for both parties to try and come to an agreement. All requests for leave should be considered fairly. A consistent approach should be applied for holiday requests for other major events too as not everyone likes football."
What Happens if You Call in Sick?
Acas warns: "Employers may want to remind staff that their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the World Cup. Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely to be investigated and could result in formal proceedings."
Survey Shows Limited Flexibility
A recent survey of 1,100 managers by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that only one in five employers plan to offer flexible working hours, such as adjusted start or finish times, to help staff watch World Cup matches. A minority of firms are offering extended breaks, workplace screenings or additional leave options.
Petra Wilton, director of policy at the CMI, said: "We’re not saying every England win deserves a bank holiday, but if millions of people have stayed up until 3am supporting their team, asking employers to let them start a little later the next morning is simply common sense. We’re saying to employers across the country: ‘let them start late’. The World Cup is a reminder of why flexible working matters. Great managers recognise that people have lives outside work, and when they offer sensible flexibility, whether that’s around caring responsibilities, medical appointments or even the occasional late-night sporting event, organisations benefit too through higher engagement, improved wellbeing, stronger retention and, ultimately, better performance."
David D’Souza, director of profession at the CIPD, the professional body for human resources, said: "England’s victory means employers and employees now have a few days to discuss expectations ahead of the team’s next World Cup match against Mexico. Employers are under no obligation to make special arrangements around World Cup matches, however some may choose to offer flexibility where this works for the business and does not impact performance. The key is setting clear expectations ahead of time. Options for organisations that decide to be more flexible include agreeing annual leave, swapping shifts, adjusting working hours, making up time later, working from home where appropriate, or in some workplaces watching the match on site."
Acas Head of Workplace Advice, Susan McGuigan, added: "The World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period. Many organisations need to maintain a certain staffing level to operate effectively. Bosses should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive, whilst keeping staff on side too."
