Partner Article

Prepare for Olympic absentees says business expert

Employers need to start preparing for unprecedented numbers of absentees next summer, as experts predict high numbers of employees will “call in sick” to watch the Olympic games.

Absenteeism costs UK companies £32 billion annually, with 1 in 3 employees admitting to taking time off under false pretences.

Bibby Consulting and Support believe that the Games will prove to be a major temptation for many, as the World Cup did in 2010, and many are expected to “pull sickies” rather than running the risk of being refused time off by employers.

Michael Slade of Bibby CAS is now encouraging companies to tell their staff to book annual leave in good time, and warn that they coud face disciplinary action if they are found to have taken unauthorised time off.

He commented: “There are lots of questions being asked by employers about the effect the Olympic Games might have on their workforce, especially those companies with small to medium size teams where even authorized annual leave could seriously affect their organisation’s productivity.

“If an employee is absent from work without authorization, that is a disciplinary matter which could result in a high level warning and in some cases dismissal.”

In 2010, 90 percent of employers had no plans to deal with staff absences, and Michael fears that this could still be the case next year.

Michael added: “We would urge all employers to think about these things now and avoid the inevitable staffing issues which will rear their head next summer.”

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