FBC Manby Bowdler offer employment tips to manage sporting fever
With less than 180 days to go to the start of the 2012 London Olympics in August and the England football team’s participation in the UEFA Euro 2012 Championship in June even closer, Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has drawn up a list of tips for employers to help them deal in advance with managing requests for time off and absences.
Alasdair Hobbs, Partner in the Telford Employment Department of Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP says that employers should decide their policy now for managing requests for time off during the Olympics and Euro 2012.
He says: “Some employees will want to take time off to attend or to volunteer at the Olympic Games. Some might ask for flexible working to ensure that they get to see key events on the TV or internet. The same goes for those hoping to watch Euro 2012, who may wish to leave work early to catch some of England’s matches.
“Employers should also be prepared so that they can pre-empt the pattern of ‘sickies’ coinciding with key events and take into account the impact on productivity and the gripes and moans of colleagues left to cover the work of absentees,” says Mr Hobbs.
FBC Manby Bowdler's top five tips are:
Make clear that requests for holiday during the Olympics and Euro 2012 should be made in accordance with the holiday policy, that the same notice periods apply and such requests will be considered in line with business needs.
Communicate what absences, if any, will be paid and which will be unpaid if employees do not turn up to work. Remind employees of the disciplinary procedure in this respect.
Consider allowing employees to work flexibly during key events and the options for this, such as taking extended lunch breaks or swapping shifts, and whether any working time lost should be made up that day, week or month.
Make employees aware that downloading an event to watch on their work computers could be a breach of the company’s IT policy and TV licensing laws.
Remind employees that being unfit for work due to drinking excessive alcohol will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in line with the disciplinary procedure.
“A large haul of medals at the Olympics and a good performance by the England football team could actually boost employee morale and help improve productivity, especially if employers have shown consideration to their employees in allowing them to watch key events,” concludes Mr Hobbs.
