Reported on Tue, 06 Jun 2006

A leading workplace welfare expert has urged firms to put measures in place to avoid high rates of sick leave absence during the World Cup - and taking out a business loan could offer support and flexibility for bosses.

According to occupational health services provider Capita Health Solutions, firms that are unprepared could find themselves facing heavy profit losses over the coming month, as staff take sick leave that coincides with key football games.

Dr Simon Sheard, medical director for Capita Health Solutions said that "employers should seriously think about having measures in place to prevent staff from pretending to be sick so they can stay at home or go to the pub to watch these matches".

He said the most obvious methods could involve installing a television in the office or even re-arranging workplace times and offering flexible hours that fit around the main matches.

"There's no reason why firms can't work as normal and although it's a good idea to accommodate fans to prevent sick leave, bosses must also remember that a lot of their staff may not care about the World Cup at all," Dr Sheard concluded.

Companies can take out a business loan to help fund any gaps in production during the coming disruptive month.


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