Call us on 0844 324 5840

NEWS & RESOURCES

Managing Absences During the 2024 Summer of Sports

The Summer of 2024 promises a multitude of sporting events, including the UEFA 2024 in Germany (in which England are amongst the favourites to win) which runs from 14 June to 14 July, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, starting on 26 July.

We can also look forward to events such as the Cricket T20 World Cups, Wimbledon, the Tour de France and the British Grand Prix, all occurring at a time of year traditionally marked by a high number of holiday requests from those also hoping to enjoy the summer weather.

Major sporting events like these have the potential to disrupt the workplace, leading to distractions, increased lateness and even more frequent sickness absences around key matches and events. They can also, unfortunately, lead to conflict and, at worst, aggression, bullying, and discrimination. Therefore, it is both important and practical for employers to plan ahead to manage absences to protect their employees and minimise these potential issues. On the plus side, savvy employers may even harness the positive impact these events can have on employee morale and workplace culture.

The preparations that can be made will depend on the business and the nature of the employees’ work. In this article, we explore some practical ways to manage employees’ desires to follow and watch the sports, while limiting an unwanted impact on work performance.

Anticipating increased absences

In anticipation of an increased number of requests for time off, employers may consider temporary arrangements that help ensure staffing levels are maintained by enabling employees to watch their events and removing the need to request time off:

  1. Facilitating viewing at work: Given the potential for employees to be distracted or even call in sick to watch their favourite events, consider allowing viewing at work in a controlled manner. If feasible, set up TVs in communal areas or designate a room for watching key matches. This approach can reduce unauthorised absences and foster a sense of camaraderie.
  2. Temporary flexibility: Modern management increasingly embraces flexibility, which can enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Consider allowing shift swaps, condensed working hours, or adjusted break times. You may allow hybrid working, such as working from home to avoid commuting on match days or the morning after.
  3. Early starts and late finishes: Offering the option for early finishes on match days or late starts the following morning can accommodate employees’ desires to watch live events without impacting overall productivity. Ensure such arrangements are communicated clearly and applied consistently to avoid any perceptions of unfair treatment – those not wanting to enjoy a game will still value some time back to enjoy how they want!

Clear communication and policy enforcement

Clear and early communication is important to manage absences. Inform employees well in advance about the policies and provisions in place for watching sports and/or any (temporary) flexible working arrangements. This can include expectations for requesting time off, watching events during work hours and behaviour standards. A well-drafted policy can prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Sending out an email or letter outlining these policies provides a reference point for employees and can serve as evidence should any disputes arise. Ensure the message is clear and concise, detailing what is permitted and the process for requesting time off.

Encourage employees to voice any concerns or questions they may have about the upcoming period. Providing a forum for open discussion can pre-empt issues and help manage expectations.

Managing holiday requests

Most employers have basic rules in place for dealing with holiday requests and managing staffing levels. With an expected surge in holiday requests, it is vital to manage these fairly and transparently. It is worth considering whether any change in approach may be appropriate to temporarily deal with the hopes of your employees and to ensure the efficient handling of requests for time off. Flexibility may help to boost morale, mitigate pressure on your people processes, and even avoid some employees calling in sick.

  1. Relaxing the policy: A higher level of planned absences can be less disruptive than a higher number of unexpected ones. Consider temporarily relaxing certain rules, such as reducing the notice period for holiday requests or allowing a higher number of concurrent absences.
  2. Advance planning: Encourage employees to submit their holiday requests as early as possible. This allows for better planning and coverage. Clearly state that time off is subject to approval to prevent any assumptions about automatic entitlement.
  3. Fair and justifiable treatment: When approving or denying requests, ensure decisions are justifiable and consistent to avoid any claims of unfair treatment. Keeping a record of the decision-making process can be helpful if challenged. Often a first-come, first-serve basis is the fairest approach.

Addressing unwanted conduct, discrimination and harassment

Ensure the work environment remains respectful and inclusive, regardless of the sporting event. Advocate this by role-modelling respectful behaviour through your own communications. Remind employees of the company’s equal opportunities policy and the importance of avoiding discriminatory or harassing behaviour. A brief reminder of a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, including examples of unacceptable conduct which may lead to disciplinary action may be appropriate.

Consider providing advance training on unconscious bias and respectful communication. This can help maintain a positive atmosphere and prevent issues related to differing team allegiances or nationalities.

Dealing with absenteeism

It is important to ensure that a clear absence policy is in place and moreover, that all employees are aware of how they can expect their absence to be managed in advance of it occurring. This can help to deter avoidable absences and to ensure fairness.

  1. Pre-emptive measures: To mitigate unexpected absences, it may be appropriate to reiterate the consequences of unauthorised leave clearly. In some cases, rather than blanket warnings, consider addressing individuals directly if there is evidence for a specific concern – such as knowledge that an employee has booked tickets for an event despite having their leave request turned down. In situations such as this, it may be appropriate to forewarn them that if they report as sick, the absence may be treated as a disciplinary matter.
  2. Immediate follow-up: If an employee calls in sick, prompt follow-up by the line manager is essential (in line with your company policy). Ask pertinent questions about their illness and if the absence lasts for more than 7 days, a fit-not should be provided for Statutory Sick Pay purposes.
  3. Return to work procedures: Conduct return-to-work interviews to discuss the absence and reinforce the expectations for maintaining fitness for work. This can deter non-genuine absences and highlight the importance of reliability.
  4. Handling AWOL cases: For employees who do not show up without a reasonable explanation, follow your company policy and procedures. This typically entails contacting them by telephone, leave messages, and if necessary, reach out to their emergency contacts. If there is no valid reason for the absence, initiate disciplinary action as per company policy.

Conclusion

By preparing in advance and communicating clearly, employers can manage absences during the 2024 Summer of Sports. Implementing flexible policies, fostering an inclusive environment, and maintaining fair and transparent procedures will help balance business needs with employees’ enthusiasm for the season’s sporting events. Proper planning and communication are essential to managing absences, ensuring that both productivity and employee satisfaction are maintained.

We’re Here to Help

If you would like support in managing absences, or would like to hear more about our HR, Payroll, and Health & Safety services please contact us on 0844 324 5840, or send us an online enquiry by clicking here.

SHARE THIS:

Instagram

GET IN TOUCH

Got questions? Looking for advice?

GET IN TOUCH

Got questions? Looking for advice?

RELATED RESOURCES

Explore our comprehensive library of related resources to gain valuable insights, expert tips, and helpful tools for optimising your HR practices.

01
Fit Note Reform: Call for Evidence
Insights
10 May 2024
02
Is there a sick note culture in the UK?
Insights
22 April 2024
03
Why we are seeing an increasing need to support long term sickness
Insights
8 March 2024

Request a Call from an HR Advisor

Our expert HR Advisors are here to assist you. To schedule a complimentary 30-minute call, please complete the form below. One of our advisors will reach out within 24 hours to either conduct the consultation or arrange a suitable time.

SIGN-UP FOR UPDATES

Receive all the latest industry insights, expert tips and exciting updates from HR Solutions, straight to your inbox.

Strategic HR thinking whitepaper

Our latest HR whitepaper offers an in-depth analysis and strategic framework aimed at transforming Human Resources into a pivotal element of business success in the rapidly evolving corporate environment of 2024.

PARTNER REGISTRATION

Register your details below and we will contact you regarding how HR Solutions can support your organisation.

MAKE A GENERAL ENQUIRY

We’re here to assist you with any questions or enquiries you might have. Simply fill out the form below, and our dedicated team will get back to you.

var iframe = document.getElementById('pageurl-general-popup-6'); iframe.src = iframe.src + "?Form_Completion_Page=" + window.location.pathname + "&" + window.location.search.substr(1);

REQUEST A PROPOSAL FROM US

We’re here to assist you with any questions or enquiries you might have. Simply fill out the form below, and our dedicated team will get back to you.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Please complete the form and one of our team will call you back to discuss your query/booking.

Request your free trial

Register your details below and we will contact you about your 30 day free trial of the HR Knowledge Base.

REGISTRATION FORM

Register your details below and we will contact you about access to the HR Knowledge Base.  As part of your approved industry membership organisation you can get access to the HR Knowledge Base, created by Business HR Solutions, which is the go-to resource for thousands of business owners and managers across the UK.

2023/2024 SME BUSINESS SURVEY

Our latest 2023/24 SME Business Survey sheds light on the intricate dynamics shaping the SME sector and unveils critical insights that can guide businesses toward sustainable success.

IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE HR ADVICE LINE TIME, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW.

HR Solutions are here to help. We offer a standard hourly rate package for ad hoc HR advice which means you can pay for what you need, whenever you need it, and then quickly get advice. Our highly experienced advisors are on hand to provide you with practical employment advice to help you manage your workforce.  You can purchase HR Advice Line time now, and the time purchased will be valid for 12 months.