Rugby World Cup – tips and advice for employers

Managing partner, Partner Employment Lawyers

18 Sep 2015

As the Rugby World Cup kicks off this evening with the first match between England and Fiji at Twickenham, Hina Belitz, managing partner at Partner Employment Lawyers, provides tips and advice on how employers can avoid disruptions in the workplace

The Rugby World Cup 2015 comes around later this week and the UK will take centre stage to host the nations of the world for six weeks. Although most matches will be held in the evenings and weekends, employers may need to compile a strategy to minimise disruptions within the workplace whilst facilitating their staff to enjoy the exciting tournament

For employees that work during the evenings and weekends, and even during the weekdays, employers may have concerns in relation to absences and lower productivity when matches are being played.

Here are a few tips and ideas to ensure the tournament delivers no disruptions.

1. Consider organising a system that will give match updates to employees during working hours

Depending on the nature of the business and its day to day functioning, it may be an idea to put in place a system that provides employees with regular match updates. This may dissuade employees to watch/follow matches for extended periods of time during working hours and thus could have less of an impact on productivity in the long run.

2. Try to deter non-genuine sickness absence

By monitoring absences that coincide with matches, employees will be discouraged in calling in sick when their sickness is not genuine. Try to make employees aware in advance that absences during this period will be closely checked.

3. Be aware of the risk of harassment and discrimination

The tournament should bring about a friendly competitive atmosphere and employers should encourage an inclusive vibe in the workplace. Pay close attention to any workplace banter and prevent behaviour that could amount to harassment from early on.

4. Ensure employees know the internet usage policy

If the employer does decide to allow employees to follow matches during working hours, the employees should be made aware of the internet usage policy that is in place. Ensure that the policy is clear on website browsing and excessive internet usage. Employers should be cautious of excessive levels of internet usage as this could affect the business’s networks.

5. Decide how to deal with competing leave requests

As the tournament is being held in England and Wales, there may be staff that will have tickets to matches and employers may be faced with competing requests for holidays.

Ensure that employees know the rules in relation to booking holidays and annual leave and employers should communicate that it may not be possible to approve all requests for holidays.

Employers should also stay wary of unauthorised absences.

6. Communicate any policy that is put in place

Whether the employer decides to relax their rules and allow their employees to enjoy the tournament or enforces stricter measures to ensure the business remains unaffected, employers can implement a policy that sets out how employees are expected to conduct and perform their duties in the workplace during such events, ie, sporting events.