Sick Leave Expected to Increase during World
Cup
Employers in Singapore need to consider the impact of the
World Cup on their workforce and productivity levels when the
nation catches football fever later this week, said
recruitment & HR services specialist, Randstad.
Because many Singaporeans are passionate about football,
the World Cup is likely to have an impact beyond tired faces
at the office. Employees are likely to watch replays on their
computers in the office, have post match discussions, as well
as participate in online forums – particularly as the final
approaches. There are likely to be some very “late starts” or
people “calling in sick” during the two-and-a-half week
tournament.
Karin Clarke, Regional Director (Singapore & Malaysia) of
Randstad, said: “Some businesses, especially those which are
tightly resourced and still trying to build up from the Global
Financial Crisis, may find World Cup Fever to be irritating
and a major distraction to achieving their goals. However,
instead of dampening people’s spirits and expressing your
frustration, it’s actually an ideal time to embrace the spirit
of the sport, have fun and build employee morale through
celebration and a culture of teamwork.”
Clarke said that allowing people to express their emotions and
be passionate about this global sporting event could have a
positive impact on their overall happiness and mental attitude
in the workplace. Themed marketing and business development
activities could also be effective tools to generate sales and
build stronger relationships with staff and customers.
“There’s no doubt the World Cup will affect productivity
both locally and globally. One of the key things employers
should consider is to monitor pre-agreed leave days and plan
effectively to ensure projects are resourced at normal
levels,” Clarke said. “Meetings, projects and deadlines may
require flexibility or rescheduling, particularly if the staff
working on these projects are passionate football fans.
Temporary staff can fill the gaps where needed. If business
leaders understand that work may stand still or ‘dribble’
along, they may be more inclined to get behind the spirit of
the sport and join in the celebration with their people.”
“It’s actually a great time to celebrate diversity in the
workplace, by encouraging people to get behind their
favourite team. Employers should see this as an opportunity to
build a sense of team spirit, boost the overall culture of the
company and demonstrate to their workers they are a
supportive employer inside and outside of the workplace,”
Clarke added.