World Cup frenzy to cause productivity loss
(ameinfo.com)
Updated: 2006-06-13 09:45 Middle East companies are poised to experience a
major drop in productivity during the month of June as large numbers of
employees take time off to watch the football World Cup, according to the
results of a new survey released by GulfTalent.com, the region's leading
recruitment website.
The survey, which was conducted in early June just before the start of the
games, asked professionals in several countries across the region whether they
planned to take any time off work to watch the World Cup. 20% of survey
participants indicated they would be taking some time off.
Just over half of these intended to work shorter days, with the rest
indicating that they planned either to request days off using their annual
leave, or simply report sick and stay at home to watch the games.
The survey also asked employers and those in managerial positions
whether they would allow their subordinates time off to watch the games.
Responses to this question varied significantly. One senior executive said 'This
event takes place once every four years. It is the greatest sporting event on
the world stage. We would better give people a chance to enjoy something that
has nothing to do with politics and violence.'
This view was not shared by all survey participants. A production manager
working in the oil and gas sector said 'Watching the games is a personal
decision and up to the individual. However, it should not come at the expense of
the organization.'
Overall, the survey found managers who were themselves interested in watching
the games were more accommodating, with one in two indicating that they would
tolerate absences. This ratio was much lower among managers who had no personal
interest in the games, with only one in seven willing to give time off to their
staff. Among managers who had indicated they would not tolerate employees taking
time off, only 9% were planning to take personal time off to watch the games.
The issue of access was also explored in the survey. Overall, 85% of those
surveyed said they would like to watch the World Cup. However, one in five of
those interested said that they would not be able to do so as they did not have
access to a TV channel showing the games. Only 5% of respondents reported having
facilities provided by their employer to watch the World Cup in their place of
work.
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