Acas urges firms to be more flexible during Euro 2016

GEPP

13 June 2016

By Alexandra Dean

The conciliation service Acas has said that firms should be flexible with staff during the Euro 2016 football tournament. A number of games in the tournament, which begins on 10 June, will be played in the daytime.

 Acas has published guidelines in an attempt to prevent disputes should staff wish to watch their team in the competition. The guidelines state that firms should have agreements in place, agreed ahead of the competition, to cover aspects such as time out of the office, website and social media use during the working day, and the following of matches on television.

 Other suggestions from Acas include a more flexible working day, with staff starting work later or finishing early and then agreeing when this time can be made up, or firms allowing staff to move breaks to times when matches are taking place.

 Sir Brendan Barber, who chairs Acas, said: "The Euro 2016 tournament is an exciting event for many football fans but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.

 "Many businesses need to maintain a certain staffing level in order to survive. Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff happy too."

 This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.

At Gepp & Sons Solicitors we can advise on all aspects of employment law. For more information and guidance, please contact Alexandra Dean on 01245 228141 or email deana@gepp.co.uk.