Let footie fans work flexibly to watch the Women’s World Cup, says TUC

• England play Denmark at 9.30am today

The TUC is today (Friday) calling on bosses to let staff work flexibly, so those who want to cheer on England in the Women’s World Cup during their working hours can.

The call comes as the Lionesses prepare to play against Denmark at 9.30am today.

The TUC suggests that bosses:

• talk to their employees in advance about arrangements for flexible working ahead of  key games during working hours;
• arrange for their staff to watch the game somewhere on the company’s premises, if appropriate;
• allow staff to work flexibly and to come in early or later to finish their shifts;
• be as flexible as possible with annual leave requests.

Flexible working has real benefits for businesses and their workforces, says the TUC. Many workplaces already operate a system of flexitime.

The TUC says employers should try to accommodate all workers who want to watch the game.

TUC General Secretary, and England and Everton fan Paul Nowak said:

“The Women’s World Cup is a landmark sporting event. Millions of workers around the UK will want to cheer on their national teams.

“Our lionesses inspired the nation with their historic Euros win. Employers shouldn’t score an own goal by acting like kill joys.

“Bosses should try and let people who want to watch the games do so, either at work or at home – and give employees the flexibility to make the time back after the game.

“But flexible working shouldn’t stop when the World Cup ends.

“Whether it’s about watching major sporting events, attending a family celebration or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how, where and when they do their work makes them happier, cuts absenteeism and raises productivity. 

“I’ll be cheering on my team from work today – along with lots of my other colleagues. Come on England!”

Government action

The TUC is calling for stronger flexible working rights for workers. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act recently became law – but the TUC says it does not go far enough.

The union body is calling for the government to:

• Unlock the flexibility in all jobs. Every job can be worked flexibly. There are a range of hours-based and location-based flexibilities to choose from – and there is a flexible option that will work for every type of job. Employers should think upfront about the flexible working options that are available in a role, publish these in all job adverts and give successful applicants a day one right to take up any of those options.

• Make flexible working a genuine legal right from the first day in a job. People should have the right to work flexibly from day one, unless the employer can properly justify why this is not possible. Workers should have the right to appeal any rejections. And there shouldn’t be a limit on how many times workers can ask for flexible working arrangements in a year.