The World Cup is inspiring great debates - even before the first ball has been kicked. But it has also inspired us at Acas, ordinarily an impartial adviser, to take the unprecedented step of coming off the sidelines to referee perhaps the greatest contest of the tournament - that of employer versus employee when it comes to how best to watch the matches that count.
This can be a very tricky issue to tackle, as was raised by Steve Crabb in your pages recently (The Grocer, 13 May, p66).
In fact, it is so serious a debate that we have decided to produce a website FAQ page at www.acas.org.uk, designed for staff and employers, covering issues such as &"Does my employer have to provide me with access to the games if I am working?&", and &"My employee has a history of taking sickies whenever there is an important game - what should I do?&".
At Acas we are no different from food and drink manufacturers and retailers up and down the country. We also want to avoid trouble, reward good behaviour and allow Acas and staff to have a more enjoyable time during the games.
And our top recommendations to avoid a red card are: be flexible to avoid discriminatory practices; if possible, provide a &'rest area&' with a television screen so that individuals can use their breaks to watch the match; be aware that we live in a diverse and multinational society with a range of national games that people want to watch; and ensure that staff are aware of any restrictive policies already in place, such as those relating to absence, internet use and consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Follow these guidelines and you&'ll be a step closer to a happy workforce - whether or not England manage to lift the trophy in Berlin on 9 July.
This can be a very tricky issue to tackle, as was raised by Steve Crabb in your pages recently (The Grocer, 13 May, p66).
In fact, it is so serious a debate that we have decided to produce a website FAQ page at www.acas.org.uk, designed for staff and employers, covering issues such as &"Does my employer have to provide me with access to the games if I am working?&", and &"My employee has a history of taking sickies whenever there is an important game - what should I do?&".
At Acas we are no different from food and drink manufacturers and retailers up and down the country. We also want to avoid trouble, reward good behaviour and allow Acas and staff to have a more enjoyable time during the games.
And our top recommendations to avoid a red card are: be flexible to avoid discriminatory practices; if possible, provide a &'rest area&' with a television screen so that individuals can use their breaks to watch the match; be aware that we live in a diverse and multinational society with a range of national games that people want to watch; and ensure that staff are aware of any restrictive policies already in place, such as those relating to absence, internet use and consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Follow these guidelines and you&'ll be a step closer to a happy workforce - whether or not England manage to lift the trophy in Berlin on 9 July.
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