How to Manage Office Productivity During a Summer of Sport

Big sporting events always cause a headache for office managers and HR departments. When England reached the Euro 2024 final against Spain, it was estimated that as many as two million UK workers called in sick the next day!

Major summer tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup are a cultural phenomenon. Inspiring pride and unity, nothing captures the hearts of the nation quite like international football. However, such enthusiasm doesn’t always roll over into the workplace – the big match can have a negative effect on office attendance, productivity and employee relations.

So how do you reduce the risk of unauthorised staff absence and help your company avoid a disastrous own goal? Check out our top tips to find the perfect balance, allowing your team to enjoy the occasion without your work suffering.

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Top Tips to Avoid Unauthorised Staff Absence for the Football

Depending where the competition is being held, matches may kick off during work hours or overnight. Daytime games present the obvious issue of taking place while you’re in the office, but evening games are equally problematic – celebrations and late nights aren’t usually a winning combination when it comes to workplace productivity the next day!

With that in mind, here are some simple ways you can maintain team morale while keeping productivity on track during major sports tournaments.

Communicate a Clear Holiday Request Policy

It’s essential to manage expectations early when it comes to annual leave. Don’t wait until the eve of the tournament to deal with a flurry of last-minute holiday requests or unexpected staff absence – make sure you communicate your policy clearly at the start of the year, so you and your team have plenty of time to plan.

Be clear on the maximum number of people from each team who can be on leave at any one time, and remind employees how far in advance they should submit their leave requests. It’s important to stress that approval isn’t guaranteed during busy periods.

If you’re expecting a surge in holiday requests around the big match, communicating a transparent policy helps to avoid confusion and reduce frustration. You may want to consider one of these ideas:

• First come, first served – let team members who submit their holiday requests earliest get first refusal on dates
• Rota system – give each team member the option of one matchday or trade priority for other holidays later in the year
• Manager’s discretion – let the manager accept or refuse requests based on workload or the company’s best interests
• Random draws – pull names out of a hat or use a random online generator to award first refusal of any in-demand dates

Allow Flexible Work Hours Where Possible

If you can’t grant every holiday request, consider offering extra flexibility with working hours on matchdays. Give employees the chance to build up time in lieu before or after the game, or allow them a couple of hours off to watch the game and make the time back later.

Turn it into a positive for employee relations by letting staff finish early to watch an evening game, or start an hour later the next morning. It’s a simple gesture that not only reduces the risk of unauthorised absences, but also shows you value your team and raises office morale.

Show the Match in the Office

If the match takes place during office hours and you’ve decided to let your staff take a couple of hours off to watch it, why not consider screening it for them? It’s a great way to encourage some team bonding, bringing people together away from the pressures of work.

You’ll need to choose a space or social hub where the noise won’t disrupt colleagues who prefer to keep working. And make sure you’ve got a valid TV Licence as well as any necessary streaming or copyright permissions!

Remind Employees of their Responsibilities

This is a tricky one. You don’t want to come across as overly strict or patronising, but you do need to find a subtle way of reminding employees about their responsibilities at work.

Issue a gentle reminder before big matches to highlight expectations around punctuality, attendance and conduct. To prevent the message sounding too accusational, combine it with an announcement about flexible working or temporary changes in policy – show your staff you value them and you want them to enjoy the game.

Don’t Forget About Non-Football Fans

Remember that not everybody likes watching football! Don’t overlook the needs of colleagues who aren’t interested in sport. Make sure any policy changes remain fair for everyone – non-fans may still want time off for holidays or family commitments.

Don’t take advantage of non-football fans either. If several people are off to watch the match, don’t assume they will pick up the slack. Share tasks evenly and check in with individuals to make sure they don’t feel overburdened.

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In Summary

A major summer football tournament is a hugely exciting time for your team – well, until the inevitable penalty shootout defeat!

Sure, it can cause problems like a higher demand for annual leave and, in some cases, unauthorised staff absence. But try not to view it as a threat to your office productivity. Managed correctly, big matches in the World Cup or Euros can actually have a positive effect on morale and performance.

Advance preparation is essential. Set expectations early by communicating a clear policy, then support staff fairly by offering as much flexibility as your workload and customer responsibilities allow. Get it right, and you’ll build upon the feel‑good factor of the tournament to keep your team motivated throughout the summer of sport.