UEFA Euro 2016 – Employers are you ready?

The first UEFA European Championship 2016 match kicks off on Friday 10th June 2016, with the first England match against Russia being played on Saturday 11th June. As the country get taken over with the hopes and dreams that this could be the year it will naturally mean that employees will want to watch the matches – so what can employers do to prepare?

Employment Lawyer, Paula Stuart advises how employers can get themselves ready for the big games:
Top Tips

• Whilst as an employer, you are under no obligation to make adjustments to cater for employees who want to watch the matches, you may consider offering some degree of flexibility, for example, an agreed late lunch hour and/ or making the time up.
• Use it is an opportunity to improve employee motivation and team building; but be sure to take a fair and consistent approach.
• Ensure staff understand your policy regarding last minute requests for annual leave to avoid being short staffed
• Remind everyone that disciplinary action will be taken in the event of unauthorised absences.
• Consider adopting flexible working arrangements for the duration of the competition, these should not discriminate against staff who support teams other than England. Nor should any arrangements made have an adverse effect on workers who have no interest in football.
• Ensure employees are aware of your Internet policy. There may also be an increase in the use of social networking sites, so make sure your policy is clear as to what is and what is not acceptable use of the Internet. If you are monitoring Internet usage, you are required by law to make this clear to all employees.
• Plan ahead and know when the big games are – for the Euro 2016 fixtures.
• Remind staff that any racist conduct or comments will not be tolerated.

If you require advice in respect of this or any other employment matter please contact Paula Stuart on pstuart@geoffreyleaver.com or call on 01908 689345.