With England’s Round of 16 World Cup clash against Mexico kicking off at 1am on Monday (6 July), an employment law expert is urging bosses to plan ahead for a potentially disruptive start to the working week.
The late-night fixture is expected to leave many employees short on sleep, increasing the likelihood of lateness, unauthorised absences and reduced productivity. Rather than reacting on Monday morning, employers are encouraged to communicate expectations now, in advance, and consider practical ways to engage staff while maintaining business operations.
Vivek Dodd, CEO at compliance training provider, Skillcast, said:
“Employers should remind staff of the process for requesting last-minute annual leave, including any notice periods, and consider sending communications ahead of key tournament dates, including further potential knockout rounds and the World Cup Final on 19 July.
“Doing so can help avoid a last-minute rush of leave requests and manage expectations where multiple employees want the same time off.
“Businesses should be mindful of their diverse workforces. Requests may come from employees supporting a range of national teams, so annual leave, flexible working and attendance policies should be applied fairly and consistently.
“A major sporting event in the early hours of the morning is unusual and creates a difficult balancing act for employers. While many staff will want to stay up to support England, businesses still need to operate safely and effectively the next day.
“The best approach is to set expectations early. Employers need to ensure staff are reminded of absence reporting procedures, encourage annual leave requests where appropriate, and consider temporary flexibility, such as later start times or remote working, where the business can accommodate it.
“Managers should also apply attendance and disciplinary policies consistently. If employees are working in safety-critical roles, employers have a duty to consider whether fatigue could create a health and safety risk. Taking a consistent, flexible and supportive approach helps employers balance operational needs with employee wellbeing and maintaining a safe, productive workplace.”
