RWC absenteeism: time for employers to put a game plan in place
17 September 2015
Rugby World Cup starts this weekend and employers need to put strategies in place to tackle the inevitable absenteeism
and tardiness of their teams.
The early morning airing of games in New Zealand isn’t great from an employer’s perspective, however, irrespective of
game times, business owners and employers will benefit from reminding staff about their commitments and what is expected
of them during the tournament.
Step 1 is to start communicating. Outline strategies that employees might want to adopt so that they don’t miss key
games (flexible hours, annual leave, swapping shifts, days in lieu, leave without pay etc) and the consequences of
missing work or not being in a fit state to work.
The key is to be flexible yet fair. Not everyone is interested in the Rugby World Cup or keen enough to watch the games
in the wee small hours. Everyone needs to be treated fairly, not just the rugby fans.
Step 2 involves getting your digital policies in order. The Rugby World Cup will produce an avalanche of online content
– news, highlights and some very active social media feeds which means employees could lose a lot of time keeping up
with the coverage. Does your company have an internet and social media policy? Are employees aware of its existence and
content? Does it need to be altered for the Rugby World Cup?
Step 3: what is the company’s alcohol policy? Some bars will stay open round-the-clock, so you need to think about your
company’s policy about drinking at work or arriving under the influence, especially if your staff are required to drive
a vehicle early in the morning.
The Rugby World Cup promises to be a captivating six weeks. Some time spent putting a game plan in place and
communicating it with your staff will serve as a pre-emptive strike for potential problems ahead.
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