Union leaders are calling on employers to let staff work from home on Monday, after England’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico kicks off at 1am BST.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has appealed to businesses to show “common sense” and allow football fans to work flexibly following the match, whether by working from home, starting later or swapping shifts.
Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary and a self-confessed England and Everton fan, admitted the scheduling was far from ideal for supporters. “That’s why we are appealing to employers to show some common sense and understanding by allowing their staff to work flexibly where possible,” he said.
The plea comes as separate research suggests more than half of bosses have no plans to make any special arrangements for the fixture. Just one in five employers intend to offer flexible working during the tournament, according to a poll of more than 1,100 managers by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a striking gap given the £3.8bn windfall the World Cup is expected to deliver for British business.
Petra Wilton of the CMI said: “We’re not saying every England win deserves a bank holiday, but if millions of people have stayed up until 3am supporting their team, asking employers to let them start a little later the next morning is simply common sense. We’re saying to employers across the country, ‘Let them start late.’”
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that British pubs can stay open through the night for the tie, which takes place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Should the match go to extra time, it could run as late as 4am.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which represents HR professionals, has encouraged employers to allow workers to take annual leave, swap shifts or make up time later in the week, echoing its broader guidance on handling major sporting events in the workplace.
“Employers are under no obligation to make special arrangements around World Cup matches; however, some may choose to offer flexibility where this works for the business and does not impact performance,” said David D’Souza of the CIPD.
For smaller firms, the calculation may be more nuanced. With research showing that rigid office mandates are already driving workers to seek more flexible roles elsewhere, a well-handled World Cup could prove a cheap win for morale and retention. Acas has urged employers to get their team line-up sorted before kick-off, advising that agreements covering time off, sickness absence and flexible hours are put in place ahead of matches rather than argued over the morning after.
Employment lawyers, meanwhile, have warned fans against pulling a sickie. Samir Moftah, head of employment law at Manak Solicitors, said: “Intentionally deceiving your employer about your health can constitute misconduct and, in certain situations, gross misconduct.” Employees found to have falsely claimed sickness absence could face disciplinary action, and dismissal in the most serious cases.
The debate over Monday morning extends beyond the workplace. After England’s last-32 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, head coach Thomas Tuchel asked parents to let their children skip school to cheer the side on. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, responded that while the decision rested with parents, “children can be in school the next day.”
For SMEs weighing up how to respond, the tournament is as much an opportunity as a headache, and those thinking strategically about the World Cup event economy may find that a little flexibility on Monday pays dividends long after the final whistle.