- 1 in 3 workers expected to take time off
- Ways to target problem
The World Cup is expected to cause a spike in absenteeism resulting in a hefty R750m price tag for South African employers – but there are things that can be done to combat workers skiving off.
Toska Kouskos, Head of Health Management Solutions at Alexander Forbes Health that offers an absenteeism management programme, said that one of the inconspicuous costs of the World Cup is the high numbers of people skipping work to watch football.
“What we have seen from other World Cups is that typically one in three workers take a day off during the event.
“If you add that up, it comes to an estimated loss for the economy of R750m in a four week period over the World Cup.”
The total cost of absenteeism to the South African economy is expected to rise to R15bn this year.
Research by Barclaycard in the United Kingdom in England found that as many as six million workers would call in sick rather than risk missing Soccer World Cup matches. Forty percent of respondents stated that they called in sick if their working hours clashed with England matches.
The good news is that it is not too late for companies to prepare for the lost productivity costs of the beautiful game’s biggest showpiece.
As a starting point, employers need to communicate what will be considered acceptable behaviour.
Said Kouskos: “Employers could reinforce that employees take annual leave to watch the matches.
“Another tactic is to boost morale by allowing employees to watch the match at work so that a whole day’s leave is not required.
“Offering staff flexible working options so they can make up time earlier or later in their day could also be considered.”
Kouskos also advised companies to share with staff their IT policies prior to the World Cup because soccer fans are going to spend more time online.
A balance could be achieved between high staff morale and adverse effects on the business by allowing some internet use, while clamping down on inappropriate or excessive use.
“High absenteeism statistics in the workplace do not have to be something that we simply accept.
“While some employers believe that little can be done about such a problem, many will testify that their targeted and comprehensive interventions achieved more than just an increase in staff morale – it increased the bottom line,” Kouskos concluded.
Surely this is an easy thing to cure, just make events like this a national holiday for the days that south africa are playing their group games.