As World Cup fever takes hold, how can you get your footie fix without your boss giving you the boot? Can you squeeze in a game over lunch, get away from work early or watch matches in the office?
Here are some tips on how to follow the action without causing problems at work.
1. Don’t assume the rules can be bent.
It is only a game and your employer has a business to run. However, most companies will be accommodating so long as the productivity of their employees doesn’t suffer.
2. Suggest working flexible hours.
You may be able to take a long lunch or leave early if you make up the time. You’ll need to give your manager plenty of notice and make sure your colleagues are aware of when you will be working. If your irregular hours interfere with workflows you’ll damage relationships with any team members you hinder.
3. Take time off with consideration.
If you book leave remember to consider the rest of your team. Will you be burdening them with too much extra work or does your absence prevent others from taking time off? Although you have a statutory right to your holidays, when you take them or how many people can be off at once is down to your manager’s discretion. Check out your leave policy to find out how much notice you need to give when requesting time off.
4. Don’t pull sickies.
Everybody at work will know you’re football mad, so if you don’t show up when there’s a big match scheduled the real reason for your absence will be obvious. If your sickness isn’t genuine you may face disciplinary action.
5. Lay off the booze.
Your employer will be concerned about the impact of celebratory/commiseratory drinking – and with good reason. Between 11 and 17 million working days are lost due to alcohol (Alcohol Concern) with 63% of employees phoning in sick when they’re feeling fragile (Portman Group). Even if you do manage to drag yourself to your desk, your productivity will suffer and the standard of your work will slip. What’s more, if you can’t watch a match without a pint in hand, make sure you check your company policy on lunchtime drinking as most will be zero tolerance.
For more information visit www.acas.org.uk
