World Cup fever – What's your game plan?

5/10/2010

Love it or hate you can't escape the World Cup. With only weeks to go until kick-off, employers need to start addressing the issues they are likely to face as World Cup fever takes hold.

Key issues are likely to be sickness absence, an influx of annual leave requests and potential harassment. The key to dealing with issues quickly and effectively is careful planning and preparation.

Kate Meadowcroft, partner at DWF in Manchester gives her top tips for employers to make sure they keep their business on a level playing field throughout the competition:

Make sure the business has a valid TV licence if you intend to allow employees to watch live coverage of the football (either on a TV or via the internet)
Remind employees in advance of the procedure to follow when booking annual leave - always deal with requests fairly and consistently, whether on a first come first served basis or otherwise
Make clear to employees that instances of unauthorised absence will be dealt with as a serious disciplinary issue and set out the possible consequences
Don't presume just because an employee is absent on a match day that they are not genuinely ill!
Be flexible - you may want to allow staff to work flexibly on match days - consider screening matches at work, for example in the staff canteen, rest areas or meeting rooms
If you are allowing employees to work more flexibly, make sure you are clear and consistent in your employee guidelines. You will need to remember that employees of all nationalities may want to watch their national team play
Remind employees about your rules in relation to alcohol consumption at work and the possible consequences of any breach of the rules
Remind all staff that any form of bullying or harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, even if no offence is intended. Make clear what is classed as unacceptable behaviour in the workplace and don't let the post-match banter or frustration get out of hand
Be prepared! Make sure you are familiar with the match schedules so that you can anticipate problems and be ready to deal with them.

Following these guidelines will help to ensure that the World Cup season remains harmonious and fun for everyone. For many businesses, this is a great opportunity to develop employee relations and boost morale which could have a positive benefit for the company.

For further advice and guidance, please contact Kate Meadowcroft at DWF on 0161 603 5174.

For all your world cup information http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/.

ENDS

Picture Caption: Kate Meadowcroft, employment partner at DWF in Manchester

Notes to editors

DWF LLP is one of the fastest growing law firms in the UK. With over 1,100 people based in Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Preston, DWF provides a range of services grouped in the following sectors:

Corporate

Finance & Restructuring

Litigation

Real Estate

People

Insurance

Private Client

Media enquiries to:

Fiona Whyatt or Alex Henshall

Bell Pottinger North

Tel: 01625 506444 or 07810 795053 / 07920 252 464

Email: fwhyatt@bellpottingernorth.co.uk or ahenshall@bellpottingernorth.co.uk