More than one-tenth of U.S. employees skip work to watch sports
Companies continue to battle employee absenteeism, which can reduce productivity and even put a business behind schedule on key projects.
The reasons employees miss work days vary, though. While some call in for sickness-related purposes, others use their sick days for much more frivolous reasons, such as watching sports.
A recent survey from The Workforce Institute found 11 percent of respondents admitted to taking a sick day to watch sporting events. While this number may seem large, it pales in comparison to other nations, such as China with 58 percent of staff responding affirmatively.
However, the organization recognized a few ways companies can work with such absences. "Managers would do well to speak with employees when they know there is a big sporting event coming up to try to determine who is likely to be out," said Joyce Maroney, director of The Workforce Institute. "Planned absences cost organizations less because alternatives can be put in place at a less-than-premium price."
Companies can also turn to workforce management software to help them keep track of absences. Additionally, businesses could treat sporting events as incentives or in-office morale boosting opportunities.
The reasons employees miss work days vary, though. While some call in for sickness-related purposes, others use their sick days for much more frivolous reasons, such as watching sports.
A recent survey from The Workforce Institute found 11 percent of respondents admitted to taking a sick day to watch sporting events. While this number may seem large, it pales in comparison to other nations, such as China with 58 percent of staff responding affirmatively.
However, the organization recognized a few ways companies can work with such absences. "Managers would do well to speak with employees when they know there is a big sporting event coming up to try to determine who is likely to be out," said Joyce Maroney, director of The Workforce Institute. "Planned absences cost organizations less because alternatives can be put in place at a less-than-premium price."
Companies can also turn to workforce management software to help them keep track of absences. Additionally, businesses could treat sporting events as incentives or in-office morale boosting opportunities.
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