Supermarket giant Tesco has put in a number of measures to ensure that all its staff can watch the World Cup, which kicks off this Friday.
Employees will be able to take time off, swap shifts and take shift breaks to watch the matches, with TV screens being brought into canteens across its stores, distribution centres and head office.
Managers are making sure all staff know how to request time off through a series of posters and a one-off newsletter campaign.
Teams are busy decorating staff areas with flags and banners – but they are not forgetting those who aren’t supporting England. Employees are being encouraged to bring in flags and banners for their home teams, and notices are being written in various languages to ensure no-one is left out.
Stores are also catering for those less keen on the beautiful game. Special ‘footie-free’ areas are being set up with games and other entertainment for staff who will not be caught up in World Cup fever.
Ashley Wightman, a stock control assistant at the Peterborough Extra store, is one of those taking advantage of the flexible working policies.
“I’ve agreed to work a split shift with my manager on 10 June so that I can watch the first England match in the staff restaurant. Lots of my colleague are taking early shifts so that they can watch the later games,” he said.
“We all think that it’s a brilliant idea to let us watch the tournament – it boosts morale and saves us from hearing the score before we can watch the match.”
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