Businesses should consider embracing the Rugby World Cup to avoid unauthorised employee absence.

Research suggests that as many as 1 in 7 UK workers are tempted to skive during this year’s Rugby World Cup, indicating that up to 4.4 million of the UK's 31 million employees may skip work during September and October this year.

The survey was conducted to determine employee views on international sporting events, such as the Rugby World Cup, in the workplace. 2,115 professionals responded and key findings revealed:

–   60% of UK workers intend to watch the Rugby World Cup 2015

–   40.7% of professionals still plan to tune in to fixtures that are aired during working hours

–   Worryingly, this number rises to 48.5% for managers, who seem reluctant to lead by example and still intend to sneak a peek of the games at their desks

–   1 in 7 employees are tempted to skip work during Rugby World Cup, instead of taking holiday

–   Only 5.8% of staff have booked holiday to watch the games

Looking at the amount of attention generated around London 2012 and FIFA 2014, it is safe to assume that there will also be strong demand for employee engagement during the Rugby World Cup this year. This suggests that businesses need to prepare for such international events to avoid workplace disturbance.

In addition to this, other survey findings revealed:

–   61.7% of staff believe businesses SHOULD show support for international sporting events

–   81.8% of employees believe sporting events, such as the Rugby World Cup, are good opportunities to bond with staff, regardless of whether they enjoy the chosen sport or not

–   However, only 1 in 10 businesses utilise international events for employee team building

Lee Biggins, CV-Library's founder and managing director, comments: “Major sporting events are often viewed as a potential disruption. However, if tightly managed, a business can use the sense of national sporting pride as an opportunity to increase staff morale and job satisfaction. Planning ahead and considering ways to embrace international events in the workplace, can actually reduce disturbance and avoid staff taking unauthorised leave.”

It’s clear that businesses need to play the game if they want to avoid the sin bin.