Where will your customers, staff and suppliers be during the World Cup this summer?

Local Designer Wins National Kitchen and Bathroom Industry Award

The power of three - Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Business optimism for North Hampshire Economy in 2010

B&P Graphic Supplies Ltd receives funding from the new 3en Lifeline Fund

For non-football fans, the month from 11 June to 11 July will seem as long as one of Peter Crouch’s limbs, while for everybody else it will race past as quickly as a Theo Walcott sprint down the touchline.

But one thing is for sure about this summer’s World Cup – it is likely to have a major impact on employers throughout the South East.

This is because, with over 570 hours of football to be screened during the four-week competition, some 23 of the 64 games are due to take place during traditional office hours. These include England’s match against Slovenia on Wednesday 23 June at 3pm.

So whether you are working flexible hours from home, operating out of an office, factory or warehouse, or in the hospitality sector, your business will undoubtedly be affected by World Cup fever. According to Business Link Operations Director Peter Griffiths, you should plan ahead to take account of the knock-on effects of staff absenteeism or more demand for your services during the tournament.

As he says, ‘Because so many people enjoy the World Cup and will want to see the games live, businesses need to be prepared for a possible fluctuation in orders and/or a rise in annual leave, so as not to compromise the good service their customers are used to receiving. Business Link Advisers can you help you to identify the risks and opportunities for your company – including those related to next month’s World Cup.’

Peter has devised a checklist of issues to consider when preparing to cope with the changed working patterns the World Cup will bring:

Be flexible – giving people the opportunity to watch games at work or at home is unlikely to be as disruptive as denying them the chance could be

Consider asking fans to work alternative hours in lieu of the time they miss

Don’t forget about non-football fans who may feel that they are being discriminated against by not having similar opportunities

Plan how customer orders can be dealt with in advance to ensure that expectations are met

Be sensitive to the wishes of non-English workers who may want to watch the games their teams are involved in

Recognise the unique opportunities that your business could take advantage of during such a major event – especially in customer communications and marketing

If you need advice on flexible working or dealing with absenteeism, it is very easy to find on the Business Link website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/