A Bolton law firm says that questions about fake sick days have soared by around 250 per cent since the World Cup kicked-off.
Clough & Willis, based on Market Street, Little Lever, says that since England’s opening game against Iran this week companies across the region have been inundated with sick day requests.
In turn, lawyers at the firm say they have seen huge increase employers calling them for advice about workers they suspect are faking sickness.
Clough &Willis partner Chris Macwilliam said: “Businesses in all sectors are facing massive challenges so maintaining good productivity is essential.
“No one wants to be a killjoy but losing days to unauthorised absences is a real issue that can affect the bottom line.
“We all want England to bring it home but there are some firms out there who are worried that England’s success might cost them financially.”
The companies worried about fake sick days have been calling the Bolton firm’s HR Advantage service, which provides advice on employment law and helps smaller firms to handle human resources issues.
The main concerns which they raised were around how to approach employees who were suspected of feigning illness to get off work while England are playing.
With two more group games left for England and possibly more to come with the knock out stages, this could prove to be a problem that goes on for some time.
The companies asked for advice on what companies could do to mitigate, or at least warn their teams off, taking bogus sick days as the tournament unfolds over the next few weeks.
But Mr Macwilliam has said that while fake sick days are a serious matter, companies should also try to be accommodating while special occasions like the World Cup are taking place.
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He said: “Our advice to employers is broadly that bogus sickness claims, if proven, can amount to gross misconduct so they should speak openly to their teams as good communication is key.
“If it’s feasible, it might also be worth companies considering some kind of flexible working structure for the days that England play.
“Football is supposed to bring us together after all and we need that now more than ever.”
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