With the Olympics only a year away employers need to plan now to avoid disruption.
There is now less than a year to go until the start of the Olympics but employers have a number of hurdles ahead of them before they are fully prepared for the impact of the games on their business.
Employees will fall in to one of two groups.
1) Those who plan to take time off during the games
Many employees will wish to take time off during the games. There are 66 million tickets available for spectators, and with plans to broadcast the games live on large screens in city centres across the UK, even those who do not have a ticket may want to watch the games on one of these screens.
In addition to this, there will be many people who will want to take time off to volunteer at the games. The selection process for ‘game makers’ has already begun and applicants will find out in early 2012 if they have been selected.
2) Those who do not plan to take time off
Conversely there will be some employees who do not plan to take time off but hope/expect to be able to watch some coverage either on a television or via the internet. There will also be a proportion of employees who wish to set up a flexible working arrangement during the games, to either enable them to watch coverage, or in some cases avoid public transport.
Speaking to employees at BT, transport minister Norman Baker urged that as well as looking at options like walking and cycling to work during the games, people should look at technological alternatives that would allow them to work remotely.[1]
Perhaps most difficult to manage will be those who do not plan to take any time or watch any coverage who may potentially become annoyed at perceived favouritism towards those who do.
Practical advice
Acas offers the following advice to employers[2]:
Manage attendance
It's time to start talking to your employees about their plans. You may keep your policy simple - maybe have a 'first come, first served' policy for booking leave - but it may help to draw up some guidelines
Work flexibly
Whether or not you currently have flexible working in your business, it may be something to consider, even as a short-term measure.
Deal with performance issues
There may be problems around staff watching lengthy coverage via their computers. Why not plan for popular sporting events in advance - perhaps giving staff access to a TV during agreed times?
Understand the legal rights
Volunteering can help develop your employees' skills but you obviously need to protect your business interests. Many volunteers will be agreeing to ten days work, with three days training prior to the Games. You may decide to match an employee's leave with special leave.
Acas chief executive John Taylor said:
"Big sporting occasions can present a number of dilemmas for firms who might be worried about the impact of less productive employees or the after effects of lively celebrations.
"Employers need to start planning now to avoid problems later on, check policies and procedures and remind staff how these work in practice.
"If you've been lucky enough to get tickets for the Olympics you certainly don't want to miss out because you failed to book the time off work".
www.acas.org.uk
[1] www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=17071
[2] www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3392
See also: ‘Plan now for ‘World Cup fever’ by Lindsay Grieve in The People Bulletin, 7th April 2010.