As Euro 2016 enters its first full week, the TUC is today (Monday) publishing new guidance for bosses whose staff want to watch games during their normal working hours.
The TUC suggests that bosses:
- talk to their employees in advance about arrangements for key games;
- arrange for their staff to watch the game somewhere on the company’s premises, if appropriate;
- allow staff to work from home;
- allow staff to work flexibly and to come in early or later to finish their shifts;
- be as flexible as possible with annual leave requests.
Flexible working has real benefits for businesses and their workforces, says the TUC. Many workplaces already operate a system of flexitime, allowing staff to come in early and go home early, or to get into work late and leave the office later.
Televised games kick off at various times, with some matches (like England vs. Wales) starting at 2pm UK time. But it will not just be football fans who work daytime and weekday hours who are affected. More than one in five UK employees (5.8 million people) work evenings and weekends, and many will want to watch the matches too.
TUC General Secretary, and England and Arsenal supporter, Frances O’Grady said: “Millions of workers around the UK will want to cheer on their national teams in Euro 2016.
“To avoid any problems bosses should talk to their staff and try and let people who want to watch the games do so, either at work or at home – and then claim back their time afterwards.
“Whether it’s about major sporting events like Euro 2016 or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how and when they do their work makes them happier. It cuts absenteeism and raises productivity.
“So come on England!”
Wales TUC General Secretary Martin Mansfield, who will be cheering on Wales against England on Thursday, said: “Tournaments like Euro 2016 can be a great chance to build camaraderie at work, with working people running sweepstakes and spending time together. It’s important employers do not score an own goal by acting like killjoys.
“Cymru am byth!”
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