World Cup Fever Grips Britain's Workers

One in five workers plan to down tools during the World Cup, according to a MORI survey conducted for the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD).

Most of those planning to take time off to watch the World Cup have their employers consent. Over 3 in 5 (61%) will be taking paid annual leave, just under a quarter (24%) will be sing flexi-time owed to them whilst 16% will be taking unpaid leave. Only 3% admit that they plan to take a day off "sick".

Two-thirds (66%) of those taking time off will be limiting it to "afternoons and evenings", when the games are due to be played, although over a quarter may take longer. Most of those who do intend to take more time off say they will take five days or more.

Employers in Scotland appear to be more accommodating than those south of the border as 20% of workers in Scotland say they will be allowed special time off to watch World Cup games compared to only 14% in England.

Most employees granted this concession will be able to listen to the action on a radio at work (46%), while almost a quarter are confident they will be able to watch it on television at their workplace. Twenty-nine per cent think their employer will allow them to leave work early / late with no effect on their pay, while 17% think they will be allowed to leave early / late with a pay deduction.

Male employees are more likely to take time off to watch games then female workers.

Men	28%
Women	8%

The vast majority will be following the action from the comfort of their own armchairs.

At home	87%
The pub	9%

Technical details

MORI surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,205 adults aged 18+, of whom 748 were in work. The survey was conducted by telephone during 5-7 June 1998 and the data were weighted to reflect the national population profile.