Balancing work and play during the Euros 2024

As the excitement builds for the Euros 2024, workplaces across the UK and beyond are preparing for the inevitable clash of football fever and daily work routines. The tournament, running from June 14 – July 14, promises a month of thrilling matches, national pride and for employers, the challenge of managing staff absences and productivity. Here’s a guide to navigating this period ensuring both employee satisfaction and business continuity.

Planning Ahead

1.        Early communication – encourage staff to submit their time-off requests well in advance. By knowing who plans to be away you can better manage workloads

2.        Flexible working arrangements - where possible, consider offering flexible working hours or remote work options.

3.        Stagger leave – implement a fair system to stagger leave requests, ensuring that not too many people are off at the same time.

Managing Workloads and Productivity

1.        Prioritise Tasks – Work with your team to set realistic deadlines and help manage expectations.

2.        Cross-Training - Ensure that employees are cross trained to cover essential tasks, this minimises disruption if key members of staff are on leave.

3.        Temporary Staff – Consider hiring temporary staff to fill gaps. This can be useful in customer facing roles.

Legal Considerations

1.        Leave Policies -Ensure that your leave policies are up-to-date and clearly communicated to all employees. This includes understanding your obligations regarding paid and unpaid leave.

2.        Fair Treatment - Treat all requests fairly and consistently to avoid potential grievances. Document decisions and the rationale behind them to maintain transparency.

3.        Alcohol policies – During events like the Euros 2024, alcohol might become more prevalent. Ensure your workplace has a clear and well communicated alcohol policy. Employees must remain fit to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Post Tournament Engagement

Once the final whistle has been blown, take time to reflect on the experience. Gather feedback on what worked well and what could be improved for future events. A debrief can provide valuable insights and help build a more supportive workplace culture. Even if football is not ‘your thing’, the Euros 2024 is an opportunity for employers to demonstrate flexibility, understanding and a commitment to employee wellbeing.  After all, a happy engaged workforce is the best team you have, on or off the pitch.

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