Olympic Games expected to boost sick days

Employment Law & HR update 28/07/2011

Yesterday, 27 July, marked the one-year countdown to the London 2012 Olympics. Despite the sporting event drawing ever closer, new research has shown that the vast majority of firms have yet to establish a Games leave policy.

According to recruitment consultants Badenoch & Clark, who surveyed 1,000 office workers, 79.9 per cent of employers have no such policy in place. The lack of arrangements have led to uncertainty amongst staff members, who are unsure if they will be able to attend the events.

As a result of the uncertainty, one in six employees have revealed that they would consider taking a sick day to attend an Olympic event. Amongst the younger workers, this percentage was even higher, with a quarter of 16-34 years-olds saying they would consider doing so.

Overall, a sixth of survey respondents said that they planned to take leave in order to attend some of the 2012 events, with another sixth considering it. Experts have warned that firms across the country could be left short-staffed as a result.

Managing Director at Badenoch & Clark, Nicola Linkleter, said, “Corporate Britain needs to ensure that they can continue to run their organisations during London 2012 and employees need to know what is expected.

“With Transport for London anticipating difficulties in getting people to work, employers need to have in place firm annual leave policies and contingency plans for possible staff shortfalls,” she added.