With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin, businesses in the UK are preparing for potential disruptions in productivity due to late-night matches. England and Scotland fans are particularly affected, with games scheduled as late as 0200 BST.
Flexible Working Policies
Sam Hufton, founder of Birmingham-based digital agency Pull the Pin, has expanded the firm's flexible working policy to accommodate football fans. Employees can start later if they wish to watch the games, provided they communicate their plans transparently. This approach aims to boost morale and maintain productivity.
"As a keen football fan, I've reminded everyone that if they want to watch a game and start a bit later, that's fine, all we ask is that they're transparent about it," said Hufton.
Impact on Productivity
Research by workforce management company UKG suggests the World Cup could cost UK employers around £681 million in lost productivity. BrightHR predicts that at least 1.5 million workers will call in sick during the tournament, leading to over 2.3 million additional sickness absences.
| Impact | Estimated Cost/Absences |
|---|---|
| Lost Productivity | £681 million |
| Additional Sickness Absences | 2.3 million |
National Bank Holiday
In Scotland, a one-off national Bank Holiday on 15 June celebrates the national team's first World Cup appearance since 1998. While NHS Scotland staff and Scottish government employees have the day off, private businesses are not obligated to close.
Krys Kujawa, a business analyst, expressed a preference for the holiday to follow the Brazil match, highlighting the challenge of balancing work with late-night games.
Preparing for Absences
David D'Souza, director at the CIPD, advises employers to set clear expectations and encourage employees to book time off if games might affect their work performance. John Palmer, senior advisor at Acas, emphasizes fairness and flexibility in accommodating football fans.
Ultimately, businesses are encouraged to adopt flexible strategies to manage the potential impact of the World Cup on productivity, ensuring both employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.
