Businesses adapt to flexible working for England's 1am World Cup match against Mexico

As World Cup excitement builds, companies are adjusting their work schedules for England's late-night match against Mexico, set to kick off at 01:00 BST on Monday. Many employers, including MT Finance Group, are allowing staff to start later to accommodate fans eager to watch the game.

Flexible Work Options for World Cup Fans

Employers are exploring various flexible work arrangements to support employees who wish to stay up for the match. Joshua Elash, CEO of MT Finance Group, stated, "It wasn’t a dilemma at all. This was as close to a no-brainer as a business can get." His firm will allow staff to start at 11:00 instead of the usual 08:45 or 09:00.

Other businesses are also adopting similar measures. Kevin Craig, founder of communications agency PLMR, allows his 100 employees across four offices to start at noon if they want to watch the game. Craig emphasized the importance of balancing work and personal interests, saying, "These days are special."

Challenges for Certain Industries

While flexibility is increasing in some sectors, industries like manufacturing and retail are facing challenges in accommodating late starts. The British Chambers of Commerce highlighted that jobs involving shift work may not have the same level of flexibility. Kate Shoesmith, director of policy, remarked, "Ultimately, there will be some jobs where it won’t be possible but we’re confident most employers will be thinking about how they can keep everyone onside."

Supermarkets like Sainsbury's and Aldi have confirmed operations will continue as usual despite the match. Nissan also stated there would be no changes to their schedule.

Encouraging Communication and Understanding

Employers are encouraged to engage with employees regarding their plans for the match. John Palmer, senior advisor at Acas, stressed the importance of treating time-off requests fairly, acknowledging that there will be both England and Mexico fans in the workforce.

To ensure a smooth operation, some companies are filling gaps with staff from different locations. Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, stated that they would have colleagues from Bosnia and South Africa cover shifts. He noted, "We want to make sure before people drive and do safety-critical work you’ve had a bit of rest but also that you’re able to watch the game."

• MT Finance Group allows staff to start at 11:00.
• PLMR permits a noon start for those attending the match.
• Supermarkets maintain regular hours.
• Octopus Energy adjusts schedules for safety-critical roles.

As the match approaches, many employers are finding ways to support their teams, fostering a culture of understanding and morale.