Rugby World Cup kick-off sparks cry-offs

EMPLOYEE absenteeism surged during the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup, according to an employment law consultancy.

Manchester-based Peninsula received double the number of weekend calls it normally gets from anxious bosses as workers bunked off to watch matches.
 
The company took 692 calls from employers wanting to discuss their rights regarding employee absenteeism and how they could prevent it re-occurring during the remainder of the competition.

Peninsula normally receives between 400 and 500 calls relating to various employment issues, but all this weekend they all relating to worker cry offs.

Peninsula employment law director Alan Price said: “There is no avoiding the Rugby World Cup, it’s everywhere, taking over TV, radio and all other forms of media.
 
“Large scale sporting events such as this regularly cause havoc for employers, as sports fanatic members of staff flock to watch the event in any way possible.
 
“Unfortunately, this often leads to employees calling in sick, forgoing their obligations to their place of work.

“It’s almost as though the Rugby World Cup has cast a spell over rugby fans, causing everyday life to stand still, consequently resulting in employees forgetting that they have an obligation to their employers and the company they work for.

“Generally, we advise employers that prevention is the best tactic when it comes to reducing employee absenteeism during major sporting events, by ensuring that they have implemented an up-to-date policy regarding expected employee conduct and behaviour during these events.

“However, despite your best intentions and efforts to deter absence, sometimes even the best laid plans can fall a-rye and employers face an unwelcomed increase in sickness absences.”

“The fact that we have received nearly 700 calls from employers during the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup is quite alarming, particularly as this event is due to run for nearly two months.

“It is rather nerve wracking for employers, as this could be something that could continue to escalate.”

“Employers who are actively seeking advice on how to deal effectively with employee absences during the opening stages of this event demonstrates that they are as concerned as I am about this issue snowballing, but taking steps to resolve this is the best course of action employers can take.”