As millions of people are expected to drop their gear for the World Cup match against England, we ask our readers: ‘Should bosses allow staff to leave early to watch matches?’England play Democratic Republic of the Congo in the first knockout of the tournament on Wednesday, with the Three Lions kicking off at 5pm BST in Atlanta.
The timing has predicted a mass exodus from the workplace, with many fans expected to leave their offices early to head to pubs, fan zones or sofas in time for kick-off. Pubs across the country are gearing up for the busiest night of the year, with supporters likely to drink tens of millions of pints during matches, according to industry figures.
What do you think? Should bosses release Britons from work early to watch over England? Vote in the poll and share your opinion in the comments section below.
The government has already extended licensing hours, allowing pubs to stay open until 1am in preparation for England’s knock-off match, which kicks off between 5pm and 9pm.
Business experts have warned employers to expect productivity to drop in the afternoon, with some workers likely to spend the day listening to team news, discussing matches with colleagues and making plans for the evening.
Supporters of flexible working argue that major national sporting events have a morale-boosting and unifying effect.
They say that allowing staff to leave the office an hour or two early can improve likability and productivity at other times.
Some argue that companies cannot simply shut down operations because England is playing football.
They point out that many workplaces require full staffing, and giving time off for sports can be unfair to employees who aren’t interested in sports.
The debate came as England look to continue their World Cup campaign after a 2-0 win over Panama.
A win against the Democratic Republic of Congo would see Thomas Tuchel’s side advance to the next round and keep their hopes of winning the trophy alive.
