World Cup 2010: How to Keep Everyone 'On-Side'

As the 2010 World Cup kicks off this week in South Africa, employers all around the world are preparing themselves for the tournament's impact on the workplace. The 2006 World Cup resulted in absenteeism costs of approximately £4 billion, costing the average UK business £8,400 per 100 employees in lost productivity.

Once again, many of this tournament's matches are scheduled to be played during working hours. Provided that employers have clear policies and procedures in place, the World Cup could go some way to helping rebuild employee morale which has been hit hard by the recession. The last England group match on Wednesday 23 June, with a 3pm kick off will put many employers' policies to the test. Here are a few pointers that employers should consider in order to minimise workplace disruption and maximise employee productivity.