[UK] Acas advice for employers during the Women’s World Cup

Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has urged UK employers to have agreements in place covering requests for time off or watching television during working hours as England’s Women’s World Cup semi-final match against Australia approaches later today (August 16), Personnel Today reports.

Kick-off for the semi-final is at 11 am so employers could potentially see last-minute requests for annual leave, workers listening to the radio or watching television while they work or an uptick in absence.

“The Women’s World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans, but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period,” Susan Clews - Acas chief executive - said.

“For many businesses, maintaining a certain staffing level is critical in order to survive. Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.”

The advisory service’s advice to employers reportedly includes the following:

• being more flexible around requests for annual leave during the Women’s World Cup tournament. Acas said employers and employees should try to come to an agreement, with all requests for leave to be considered fairly
• reminding employees about sickness absence policies and the potential for any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance to be subject to a formal investigation
• introducing a more flexible working day, allowing employees to begin work later or finish sooner and agree to make this time up
• Permitting employees to have the radio on or watch television while they are working, or allowing them to take a break during the Lionesses’ match
• allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission
• managing any potential increase in the use of social media and websites covering the match together with reminding employees about policies surrounding internet use during working hours.

Ms Clews said, “Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team players, arrange appropriate substitutions if necessary and avoid unnecessary penalties or unplanned sendings-off.”

Source: Personnel Today

(Quotes via original reporting)

Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has urged UK employers to have agreements in place covering requests for time off or watching television during working hours as England’s Women’s World Cup semi-final match against Australia approaches later today (August 16), Personnel Today reports.

Kick-off for the semi-final is at 11 am so employers could potentially see last-minute requests for annual leave, workers listening to the radio or watching television while they work or an uptick in absence.

“The Women’s World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans, but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period,” Susan Clews - Acas chief executive - said.

“For many businesses, maintaining a certain staffing level is critical in order to survive. Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.”

The advisory service’s advice to employers reportedly includes the following:

• being more flexible around requests for annual leave during the Women’s World Cup tournament. Acas said employers and employees should try to come to an agreement, with all requests for leave to be considered fairly
• reminding employees about sickness absence policies and the potential for any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance to be subject to a formal investigation
• introducing a more flexible working day, allowing employees to begin work later or finish sooner and agree to make this time up
• Permitting employees to have the radio on or watch television while they are working, or allowing them to take a break during the Lionesses’ match
• allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission
• managing any potential increase in the use of social media and websites covering the match together with reminding employees about policies surrounding internet use during working hours.

Ms Clews said, “Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team players, arrange appropriate substitutions if necessary and avoid unnecessary penalties or unplanned sendings-off.”

Source: Personnel Today

(Quotes via original reporting)