Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Can you be sacked for watching England-Wales at work? These are your rights

With England-Wales scheduled for 2pm on a weekday, workers will be quietly raging at their fate. This is what bosses can - and can't - do to stop you watching 

REUTERS England and Wales supporters gather outside a pub
Not all of us can be there, but can you be fired for watching at work?

England-Wales. At a major international football tournament - the first time that has ever happened.

It's a vital game for two teams looking to escape the group stages, and it's happening at 2pm on a weekday.

But does that mean you can't watch it?

We decided to check exactly what your boss can - and can't - do to employees who bunk off, tune in at work, slide off to the pub or pull a sickie.

Here are your rights:

Can you make your boss give you time off?


Getty Stock of workers in call centre office
You can still argue about it

Short answer: No.

Long answer: You can still make the case to them that it would be better for everyone that they did.

Shakespeare Martineau employment lawyer Chris Kisby said: “A blanket refusal may be counterproductive. Euro 2016 might be an opportunity to improve employee engagement and productivity by allowing staff to watch or listen to matches.”

You could also legally get the time off by requesting a holiday, different shifts or starting earlier than normal to finish up in time for kick-off.

Your boss HAS to consider a genuine request for flexible working (although we don’t think that rule was designed for Euro 2016).

So if it's possible you could also make a case for working from home, they at least have to listen.

Can your boss find out if you pull a sickie?


Getty Sick
There's only one cure

You don’t HAVE to tell your boss why you’re ill , or any details of your medical condition (Euronitis?). If you’re off work for less than seven days, including weekends, your employer can’t even demand a sick note.

But if the idea of coming over all poorly has occurred to you, it’s probably also occurred to your boss.

And if they start checking your vomiting bugs against the kick off times, your next match could be versus a disciplinary panel. Now that should make you ill.

Are you allowed to work after drinking?


Getty Man drinking pint of beer
Lunch break

It’s illegal for train drivers and other key transport workers to work after having a few, you'll be glad to hear.

But for the rest of us wine tasters and barmen, the line can be more blurry.

If your employment contract doesn’t specifically outlaw booze, you should be aware that your boss has a general duty under health and safety laws to protect you from the bottle.

In other words, if they’re doubled up in laughter as you trip up on the computer cables and fall on the office floor with can in hand, they could be prosecuted.

Can your boss limit time off to England games?


Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images Wales fans support their team during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match
The Welsh have rights too

Not unless they fancy being sued for discrimination.

Shakespeare Martineau’s Kisby warned managers: “If you allow time off, don’t limit your approach to England supporters. Apply it to all nationalities to avoid potential discrimination claims.”

That's right - if you can't beat them on the pitch, drag them through the courts instead.




CREDIT TO:http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/can-you-sacked-watching-england-8156609

 

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