It’s the start of the 2026 World Cup today and ACAS has recently issued some timely guidance for employers, highlighting that major sporting events like the World Cup can bring a few “on-pitch challenges” in the workplace if not managed well.
With kick-off times ranging from early evening through to the early hours of the morning due to time differences, staff interest is likely to be high, and routines may be a little disrupted.
ACAS encourages schools to plan ahead and have clear expectations in place covering leave, attendance and flexibility, ensuring the school day continues to run smoothly while keeping staff engaged.
In practical terms, we recommend:
- Time off requests –Requests should be considered fairly and consistently (not everyone is following the football!).
- Clear expectations on attendance – Sickness and absence policies still apply, and any patterns of absence or lateness should be managed in line with normal procedures.
- Maintaining professionalism – A gentle reminder that staff must not attend work under the influence of alcohol, even after a late-night match celebration.
In the meantime, enjoy the tournament, and let’s hope for as few HR “penalties” as possible!
Link to the ACAS guidance:
Acas urges employers to have a good team line-up before World Cup kick-off | Acas
