All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and that, in a way, will be the dilemma facing many football-crazy workers almost daily for the next month.
Unions and employers have been urged to introduce an element of flexibility to allow workers to watch their favourite teams playing in the Euro 2016 football tournament that opens today.
The yellow card, however, is out: employees should never call in sick just to watch the squad they support play.
The Malta Employers’ Association, the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the General Workers’ Union all came out strongly in favour of increased flexibility at workplaces, although they said this had to go hand-in-hand with work exigencies.
There are only a handful of matches being played at 3pm, with the two most followed teams in Malta – England and Italy – having one game apiece at that time, when the majority are still at work.
England play Wales on June 16 and Italy meet Sweden at 3pm the following day. Spain, which too has some good following here, will be in action at 3pm on Monday.
All France’s matches are at 9pm while Germany has two matches at 9pm and one at 6pm.
Today, there are many forms of flexible work arrangements that may allow a decent compromise between work exigencies and the desire to watch one’s favourite teams play
“This is not the first time that a football tournament will be followed by a large cross section of the population and companies do receive requests for special arrangements to accommodate football fans wishing to watch important matches. The form and extent to which these requests are granted depends on the nature of the work and how many employees are involved. It also depends on the extent to which the times clash with the normal work schedules,” MEA director general Joe Farrugia told Times of Malta.
“Today, there are many forms of flexible work arrangements that may allow a decent compromise between work exigencies and the desire to watch one’s favourite teams play. Such arrangements can include time off, special breaks or flexi-hours. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all situation and enterprises will consider their own particular circumstances to deal with the issue,” he added.
The unions agree with the employers’ body and suggested that, as much as possible, workers should be given time off or flexible break arrangements to watch their favourite teams.
“Any arrangements must, undoubtedly, be based on common sense and ensure there is a balance between workers’ wishes to watch the matches and work exigencies,” GWU general secretary Josef Bugeja said.
“Where essential services are involved, such as with hospital or public transport workers, it will be more difficult to please staff but there is the possibility that workers apply for unpaid time off from work to watch the games,” he added.
UĦM general secretary Josef Vella concurred, adding the Euro 2016 football tournament should also send out a strong signal that Europeans will stand up to terrorism and terrorist threats. “The Euro 2016 is a celebration of sports but it is also an occasion to stand up to terrorism,” he said.
Mr Vella said the competition could be used by employers to boost morale at the workplace or as a team-building exercise.
“I’m not expecting employers to allow workers to sit in front of the TV all day but I do think there should be an element of flexibility when the matches involving the big teams are on,” he said.
All three, however, warned against the abuse of sick leave: “Needless to say, abuse of sick leave can never be tolerated and should never be a justification to watch football,” they said.