For small businesses, World Cup 2018 can either be an opportunity for employee engagement and motivation or a scheduling headache creating tension and bad feeling.
For a positive experience, avoid introducing lots of new rules and overly prescriptive absence management policies for your die-hard football fans. Instead, invest some time in a bit of forward planning and good communications, to help avoid a lot of problems and make the most of motivating opportunities.
Here are a few ideas:
- Take the time to get to know your employees – what are their interests and hobbies? This can help you anticipate the likely impact of high-profile televised sporting events, such as the World Cup.
- Remind your staff what the booking process is for taking annual leave and what the existing company rules are about internet usage during working hours. You may also want to remind employees that there are likely to be consequences if unauthorised leave is taken as a result of alcohol related over-indulgence.
- Look for World Cup themed ideas to support local charities that can appeal to all the workforce, such as Telford Crisis Support’s World Cup Food Goal Game.
- Think carefully before introducing any World Cup challenges and games that involve betting. Don’t assume everyone is comfortable with betting – it may be against their beliefs or religion. Also remember that work lotteries have to adhere to the rules set by the Gambling Act 2005.
- Use World Cup attention to explore keep fit and well-being activities that help engender a sense of pride in either a team or group, to provide a low cost way to help motivate your employees. Check out the National Workplace Challenge for ideas to engage workplaces in sport and physical activity.
There’s no need to turn your back on World Cup 2018, because with a bit of creative thinking you can harness some of that feel-good-factor which will benefit all your staff.