FirstAssist advises employers to prepare for the 2006 World Cup to avoid absences

Sven Goran Eriksson may well not be alone in suffering from the sickness absence of key team members in the 2006 World Cup, as UK employers steel themselves for a summer of staff coming down with ëfootball feverí. FirstAssist, the health and wellbeing expert, is advising businesses to plan ahead, provide staff with clear rules and show some flexibility during the World Cup season.

ìFootball is our national sport and it is understandable that people want to have a few drinks and cheer England or their national team on, but taking bogus sick days puts an unacceptable amount of pressure on businesses, not to mention colleaguesî, explains Dr Les Smith, Group Medical Director for FirstAssist. ìIndeed, the World Cup season is generally accompanied by mass consumption of salty snacks, fast food and alcohol, which wonít do much for the health of staff. Men in particular will be drinking large amounts of lager, with each pint being the calorific equivalent to a cheeseburger and fries. Add to that the traditional vindaloo, and football fans could be consuming several thousand calories in one day, which leads to the dreaded beer belly, not to mention serious health problems such as heart disease.î

ìFor businesses, the reality is that four years ago it was estimated that each World Cup game cost UK commerce a combined loss of 400m*. And a staggering five million working days were lost through absenteeism, extended lunch breaks and alcohol-impaired performance caused by watching games in the pub.î

To encourage staff to enjoy the key matches at work, rather than taking a string of sickies, there are a number of things employers can look to introduce during the World Cup.

- Provide televisions and radios so staff can keep up with crucial matches

- Get into the spirit by hanging flags and wall charts around the office

- Introduce dress down days on key match days to enable staff to put on their countryís colours or t-shirts
Organise sweepstakes

- Be flexible by letting staff book holiday at short notice, but on a first-come- first-served basis

- Arrange an office celebration in case England goes all the way

Such simple measures will not only help to reduce absenteeism, but will boost morale and team spirit throughout the company generally. However, businesses must also ensure that everyone is fully aware of the company policy on drinking and absence, making it clear that a hangover is not an acceptable reason to call in sick. And remember that not everyone is a football fan, so provide similar perks for staff who may not be interested in the world cup.

Dr Les Smith concludes, Businesses should look at taking a more proactive approach to staff absence by creating a positive environment that cultivates a happy, healthy and motivated workforce. Alternative methods to reduce absence encourage employers to look at the day-to-day wellbeing of staff, rather than just reacting to sickness levels. And an all-encompassing pro-active approach to staff attendance, not absence, can deliver all-round benefits.

ìBy encouraging colleagues to work smarter and healthier rather than harder and longer and by implementing health and wellbeing strategies, employers will help to create a positive work-life balance for all staff. Overtime should be discouraged and replaced with a focus on the importance of lunch breaks and annual holiday. The World Cup offers a good opportunity to make those positive changes by offering staff a chance to come together and watch the key matches at work ñ even during working hours! And a post-World Cup detox in the form of fruit and herbal teas available at work will place a focus on health and wellbeing once the celebrations are over.î