subject: How best to accommodate ‘Footy Fans' during the World Cup [print this page] How best to accommodate Footy Fans' during the World Cup
Every four years office staff are bound to want more time off work and it just so happens that we are now in the midst of a world cup and the ensuing requests for days off to watch the match.
In fact on Wednesday when England coverage is set to start at 3pm, I imagine office workers will get out of work somehow (hopefully this will be legitamtely).
So it is perhaps a good idea for office managers to think about this problem and come up with a viable solution that will ensure football fans are not despondent when at work and productivity levels don't drop off.
James Cotten, joint CEO of Warlock Inc. in Uxbridge, recently said, 'Businesses need to ensure staff do not pull a sicky by adopting a flexible attitude during the tournament which will create a happier workforce and promote productivity and at the same time increase patriotism.'
Employers can achieve this in various ways, for example allowing employees to swap shifts and or letting them start work earlier so that they can leave earlier.
However, Mr. Cotten in his Uxbridge office had a technical solution, as he decided to allow staff to work at home during the World Cup by using desktop virtualisation that was installed last year.
So instead of missing the game Mr. Cotten's workers have arranged to book time off and then simply logon to a home computer in order to access the centralised office network.
By using this virtual technology employees can make the most of their time, enjoy the match and also get their work down at half time (although realistically they would more likely do it before or after the game).
Employers should also remember that Wimbledon is also approaching, so it is perhaps a good idea to also allow tennis fans to work from home in the same way as football fans have.
