World Cup fever (Wurld kup fe.var]

n.
1. Highly contagious illness.
2. Strikes every four years, leaving rows of empty desks in the workplace.

With the opening ceremony fast approaching, many employers may be wondering what impact the 2010 FIFA World Cup will have on business productivity, as employees across the country gear up for kickoff in minus three days.

While employers have no obligation to cater for their employees' interest in the month-long tournament, those that are planning on imposing a blanket ban risk demotivating staff and losing hours through sick days.

And considering an estimated 715.1million people watched the final match of the 2006 World Cup, perhaps it would be wise for employers to embrace it. Why not use the tournament as an employee incentive or an engagement opportunity? This is a golden window to give something back to staff who've spent the last year dealing with recession, pay freezes and cutbacks.

Here are five tips that may help ensure members of your workforce are able to watch matches without compromising on productivity and promoting engagement:

1. Flexible hours/shift swaps: Allowing staff flexibility on what times they start and finish work - providing business hours are covered. Ask them to make up for the time that was lost. Or why not take a leaf out of Asda's book - the retailer is introducing a "shift swap" scheme for all staff to allow them to rearrange their shifts around different games, provided they can find an appropriate level of cover.
   
   
2. On-site screenings: Bring football into the workplace by setting up televisions to screen matches in a common area. This will prevent absenteeism, with the added benefit of building team spirit, boosting morale and improving engagement.
   
   
3. Radio/internet: Staff can keep track of match scores while they work.
   
   
4. Sweepstake/dressing-up: Get everyone involved in the fun, by running an office sweepstake and on the day of a big match encourage employees to come in wearing a football shirt or their team colours.
   
   
5. Unpaid leave: Providing it doesn't interfere with business operations, employers might consider providing unpaid leave.
   

Despite these tips, employers should be clear what's expected from employees in relation to attendance and performance. It may also be worth reminding staff of the organization's policy on absence and misuse of alcohol. And keep in mind, not all staff will have an interest in the World Cup, therefore it's important not to exclude or distract them if they don't want to get involved.

If engagement is a priority in your organization, make sure you're taking the right approach by reading Dr. Theresa M.Welbourne's article, How to ensure you're taking the right approach to engagement, on the Internal Comms Hub.

Also, the new collaborative corporate intranet may be driving engagement and productivity but don't forget the changing role of an intranet manager that comes along with this model. Our intranet masterclass takes place in just 3 weeks. Secure your place today.

Until next time,

Nishwa

P.S. The SCM Summit London is taking place on 11th -13th October. Email us if you want to be notified when the full programme is available.

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