Have a game plan and avoid falling foul of World Cup work clashes
Published: 10:31AM BST 07 Jun 2010
Football fever is not a legitimate illness and cannot be an excuse for poor attendance, poor performance, or neglecting health and safety at work.
Any unauthorised absences, poor performance or breach of health and safety at work could allow your employer to take disciplinary action against you and, in serious cases, could lead to dismissal.
Here are some tips for employees planning on enjoying the tournament:
- ensure you've read carefully any policies drawn up by your organisation on what is and what isn't acceptable behaviour
- 'throwing a sickie' during the World Cup will be an unauthorised absence and could result in disciplinary action being taken against you
- carefully plan your schedule and book annual leave as early as possible ahead of important matches so your employer can plan ahead if it grants your absence. This ensures absences are authorised and reduces the risk of disciplinary action
- consider whether your employer has allowed an extra element of flexible working during the competition, enabling employees to swap shifts, take unpaid leave or temporarily change their hours. If so, consult in good time with your line manager on how you can best benefit from these policies and make appropriate authorised arrangements
- ensure changes to your working arrangements are properly agreed with your employer so everyone is clear what you're doing and for how long. Preferably, changes should be confirmed by your employer in writing, to avoid any misunderstandings
- if you're keeping track of games via the internet make sure you fully understand your organisation's usage policy and if in doubt ask your manager what the position is. Some organisations have a zero tolerance policy on personal use of the internet during working hours, and any breach could lead to disciplinary action
- although the issue should be easier to manage because there's not a significant time difference between the UK and South Africa, with many of us able to watch matches after work, employees may be coming to work suffering from lack of sleep and over-indulgence in alcohol the night before. So although it's your employer's duty to maintain health and safety, as an employee you're responsible for attending work in a fit state, ensuring you don't present a danger to yourself and others. If your employer is not of the view that you're in a fit state to work you can be sent home, potentially, without pay.
- your employer may have set up a special screening room for matches or may allow you to have TV/ radio on in the background. Be aware of your conduct and ensure you remain professional and that any comments you make do not offend other work colleagues who may not be football fans or who may not be supporting the England
- remember that not all employees will be interested in the football, and they should not be made to feel excluded if they don't want to get involved
Ready for kick-off
Plan ahead to make sure you clearly understand what your employer is expecting of employees during the tournament. If in doubt, ask. This will ensure you'll enjoy yourself while leaving penalties and suspensions in South Africa.
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