As England’s World Cup match against Mexico kicks off at 01:00 BST on Monday, businesses across the country are scrambling to decide how to handle the bleary-eyed morning after. While manufacturing and retail industries may struggle to offer flexibility, some employers are already stepping up — including Joshua Elash, who runs London-based finance firm MT Finance Group. He is allowing all 125 of his staff to start work at 11:00 instead of the usual 08:45 or 09:00.
“It wasn’t a dilemma at all. This was as close to a no-brainer as a business can get,” Elash says. “Everybody at this company works in the office. We don’t actually have a work from home policy here … under normal circumstances, all 125 of them would be here in the office at 08:45 or 09:00 Monday morning. But that certainly won’t be the case this Monday.” He and other senior managers will be staying up to watch the game, and he says it is only fair to extend the lie-in to the rest of the team. “It’s good for morale,” he adds, admitting that Monday may not be productive. “Some things are more important than, you know, a day’s revenue.”
“Bosses urged to allow late starts after England's 1am World Cup match; one firm defers to 11am.”
Elash’s decision comes as the government announced on Thursday that pubs will be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday. Employers are being urged to use “common sense and understanding” and allow flexible working where possible. The TUC, the umbrella group for trade unions, says bosses should let staff work from home, start later, make up hours in the near future, or swap shifts. John Palmer, senior advisor at conciliation service Acas, warns that firms must treat requests fairly — there will be Mexico fans as well as England supporters in the workforce, and some staff who have no interest in football may be happy to swap shifts. “Employees should be aware it might not be possible to book time off at short notice,” he adds.
But not all sectors can bend. The British Chambers of Commerce says flexibility will be especially challenging for manufacturing production lines, frontline retail, and hospitality. Its director of policy, Kate Shoesmith, says: “Ultimately, there will be some jobs, such as shift work, where it won’t be possible but we’re confident most employers will be thinking…”
The question now is how many other bosses follow Elash’s lead — and whether the 1am kick-off will leave the nation’s workplaces sleepwalking into Monday.