Flex Time - How Football is Helping Employers Build Relationships With Employees

Traditionally, the only time that the words football, employers and employee are used comfortably in the same sentence is when it involves a company sponsored event. And while in the US we start thinking pads, helmets and the NFL at the mention of football, the rest of the world has an entirely different association. When I say football, to the majority of the world it means soccer.

And 2010 is a special year, the FIFA World Cup is being held in South Africa. Around the world, avid football fans are preparing to cheer on their teams. You can imagine the challenge that employers will have to keep employees focused and on task when the game is on...or will they?

David Woods of the UK's HR Magazine reported that "According to legal firm DLA Piper, 51% of employers are investigating the option of flexible working for staff during the football World Cup. The survey of 352 business leaders and HR professionals in the UK found the most popular flexible options during the football season are shift swapping (33%), early finishes (59%) and late starts (35%)." (1)

While the concept may seem counterproductive to many businesses here in the US, employers in the UK are looking for just that: productivity. In an economy where it might seem more reasonable to clamp down on employees with restrictions, the World Cup may be providing the rest of the world with a chance to lift spirits and relieve some of the employer/employee tension that may have been building. It is an opportunity to build relationships with employees.

So, in the US, how could you apply this strategy? For most, the World Cup is not nearly as important. The idea is to find out what matters to your employees. Are they having a tough time getting their kids to school and still make it to work on time? Work with them. Do they volunteer after work for a kids program? Work with them there too. What you will find is a happier and more productive employee. What more could you want?

(1) Woods, David. "Employers are prepared for flexible working during World Cup - but only for England Games." http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk. http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/News/MostEmailed/1007403/Employers-prepared-flexible-working-during-World-Cup---England-games/. 02 June 2010

Terra Pugh is the Marketing and Sales Director of Time Masters, a leading provider of time and attendance solutions for over 15 years. For more information or for solutions for time attendance, please visit http://www.time-masters.com.