Partner Article

Your ticket to a World Cup escape

EMPLOYEES desperately looking for an excuse to escape the office and watch England’s crucial World Cup game tomorrow could use the wise words millionaire businessman Jonathan Jay to persuade their bosses to be lenient.

The founder of NABO – an alliance of small business owners spread throughout the UK – has urged corporate leaders to embrace World Cup skiving.

He said: “Skiving off for sports events like this is a problem for businesses, but you can turn it to your advantage.

“Instead of fighting your employees’ desire to keep up with a once-every-four-year event, you can use it as a morale booster by offering the time off in addition to their holiday allowance.

“Keep it to the knock out stages and the actual amount of time off that you’ll be offering it minimal.”

He added: “Thanks to the time difference only two matches in the finals – assuming England get there – clash with working hours.

“Better yet, with the matches starting at 3pm, only an afternoon off will be required.”

Jonathan believes that by giving employees those six-or-so hours off, the equivalent ‘man hours’ will be paid back several times over.

If Jay’s philosophy is unlikely to resonate with your boss, perhaps a hastily arranged 115-minute Wednesday meeting or a sickie might be the only options left as you bid to watch England’s last ditch efforts.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .