GoCompare ships in TVs for staff to watch Wales vs England in Euro 2016
Asbtract: Two of Wales’ biggest companies, Admiral and GoCompare, are taking what is being hailed as a “common-sense approach” to the forthcoming Euro 2016 game between England and Wales, and allowing their employees to keep an eye on the match while at work. While teachers in Gwynedd were threatened with the sack if they took time off to watch the football, Admiral and Gocompare have even shipped in more TVs to accommodate staff needs.

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Two of Wales’ biggest firms say staff will be able to follow Wales when they take on England at the Euros.

Both insurance firm Admiral and price comparison site Gocompare will have TV screens around their offices allowing staff to keep an eye on the game on June 16.

Some employees have already been warned they could face disciplinary action – or even the sack – if they take time off to watch matches during the tournament.

As well as England, Wales will face Slovakia and Russia in the group stage of the tournament in France.

More: What is (and isn't) acceptable when it comes to wanting to watch Euro 2016 games while you're in work

The first match is on Saturday, June 11, but the other matches are on weekdays with the England match at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis in Lens kicking off at 2pm.

Teaching staff and school support workers in Gwynedd were told they could face the sack if they took time off.

But Admiral and Gocompare appear to be taking a different approach.

Departments to show games

A spokesperson for Admiral, which employs over 6,000 at offices across South Wales including Swansea, Cardiff and Newport, said many of their departments will show Wales and England games and other matches.

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The firm said they had lots of TVs in the office already, but they have also brought some more in for the tournament.

A spokesperson said: “We have TV screens in all our departments so staff can watch the games if they would like to.

“Many staff have booked annual leave but we haven’t allocated time off specifically for everyone to watch the matches.

“The majority of our staff are customer facing and we’re unable to close our call centres.”

During last autumn’s Rugby World Cup there was a rise in employee absenteeism as many skipped the office to watch the tournament according to Peninsula, a UK employment law and HR consultancy.

Thousands heading to France

Thousands of fans are expected to travel to France to watch the matches and many more are likely to flock to pubs and clubs in Wales to cheer on the side, appearing in their first major tournament for almost six decades.

Gocompare, who employ 169 staff at their Newport office, said they have flexitime and expect some staff will use it to catch early evening games.

A spokesperson said: “With the Wales vs England game – as an always on, online business unfortunately we aren’t able to switch off for a few hours and collectively watch the game at 2pm.

“However, we do have several TV screens around the office that staff will be able to follow the game on.”

More: What every employer needs to know about Euro 2016

Workplace experts Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) offer guidance to help employers prepare for time off demands and performance issues that could arise over the tournament, which begins on June 10.

They have said overall flexibility from both employers and employees throughout the event period was the key to a productive business and engaged workforce.

A spokesperson said: “By working together both employers and employees will understand the needs of each party.

“But taking a more flexible approach to working hours and annual leave may not always be possible as the employer will need to maintain a certain working level.”

Common sense approach

Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Wales Emma Watkins believes companies will take a “common-sense approach”, and “be flexible about staff working different hours or watching the big matches at work”.

But she added: “However there will always be some jobs where this simply isn’t possible.”

Last month it emerged headteachers of all secondary, primary and special schools in Gwynedd were reminded time off should not be taken during the school term to watch matches.

A letter sent from council officials told them taking time off in term time could lead to the “termination of employment.”

In a statement the authority later said the protocol was agreed with “workforce representatives”.

They also sent out a second letter saying it was up to individual schools to decide whether staff could have time off during the term.

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