How will your company manage absence during the Olympics?

Research conducted by recruitment consultants Badenoch & Clark has found that one in six or 17 percent of employees would consider taking a sickie to watch the Olympics.

And this number increases to 25 percent when looking at 16 to 34-year-olds!  If the Olympics aren’t reason enough for employees to take time off odds are they are considering taking an annual family holiday, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, or watching the  Euro 2012 football competition.

This means your company must start preparing for both planned and unplanned absence during this time.  Firstly, it’s important to remember that taking a hard handed approach to requests for time off will likely build resentment and Acas supports our view to encourage a flexible approach for managing time off during the Olympics.

We have compiled the “Ultimate guide to managing absence during the Olympics” but below is a summary of some of our recommendations and top tips.

Don’t bury your head in the sand or wait until it’s too late.  Start planning for how your organisation will manage workplace absence this summer.   Take the time to realistically consider the challenges (logistical and organisational) your company will likely face and how they will affect your business.

Then create a revised absence policy in place for the summer which includes time bound restrictions so it is clear that this is not an overall change in company policy.  You may need to consult trade unions or staff representatives to draw up an agreed approach.

Make sure your employees are aware of this policy and don’t forget to make sure this policy is applied fairly to all employees so that not only those interested in sport benefit.  Hold your employees to this policy and address any non-compliance.

Ensure any unplanned staff absence is carefully recorded and monitored.  Make sure managers are informed by employees at the earliest possible time regarding any unplanned time off. This is where Honeydew Health’s Olympic offer comes in handy.  Use our absence registration service for  £1 per employee per month so you’ll know exactly where your employees are.

Our guide to managing absence during the Olympics also includes some creative ideas to help your company exercise flexibility during this largely unpredictable time.  In summary, here are some of our top tips to help you proactively prepare for the 2012 Games:

1. Encourage employees to arrange their leave in advance; this will give you the time to plan for their absence.
2. Create a time bound absence policy for the Olympics and stick to it.  Make sure non-compliance is addressed.
3. Think outside the box and consider flexible arrangements that mutually benefit both employer and employee.
4. Promote excitement around the Olympics!  It’s a great time for the UK and allowing employees to indulge will boost morale.