Frequently Asked Questions:

World Cup 2018

Introduction

The 2018 World Cup in Russia sees 32 nations taking part in 63 matches from Thursday 14th June until Sunday 15th July 2018: all fixtures are listed on the World Cup website (link HERE).

We know that many of you will want to watch your favourite team/s play live. We also know that some matches are scheduled to take place during office hours! So we are setting up some designated areas cross our campuses for communal viewing:

Matches will be screened in the following locations:- Allerton concourse- Media City foyer- Atmosphere restaurant (day-time fixtures in addition to England games and

final-stage matches)

If you wish to watch or listen to any games on your workplace computers or personal mobile devices, the University will vary its policy on personal use of the internet during the World Cup. The IT Acceptable Use Policy (link HERE) remains in force to ensure the security of the University’s Information Framework; Section 3 sets out the University guidance on personal use and social media considerations.

If you plan to watch games whilst at work, please make sure your work is completed as expected and there is no inconvenience to students, visitors or other colleagues.

Here is some other helpful guidance:

Can I book time off work for the World Cup 2018?

If you would like to take annual leave around the time of the World Cup, this can be booked in the normal way and possibly at shorter notice than usual; however, to avoid being disappointed you should book soon!

The University will seek to agree to requests for time off and will grant annual leave on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we must often maintain a minimum level of staffing for both operational and safety reasons. Therefore, if line managers receive a large number of requests for annual leave at the same time, some of them may have to be refused. In these circumstances, managers will endeavour to be as fair and reasonable as possible to all colleagues.

Can I work more flexibly during the World Cup 2018?

For colleagues who wish to work more flexibly for the duration of the world cup tournament, flexibility in working time will be agreed whenever possible, although as detailed above, there may be business-based reasons why it cannot be granted.

Frequently Asked Questions:

World Cup 2018

For fixtures that begin around midday, you may be able to take a longer lunch break with working time being made up as appropriate. Similarly, if a match is scheduled to start at 4pm or 5pm, you may be able to leave work earlier than normal so you can watch the game at home or elsewhere.

This will be on the basis that you should: inform your line manager of any changes to your working pattern; ensure that tasks are completed to the required standard and/or agree to

make up any lost time at a time agreed with your line manager; ensure that the business and student needs are met.

What is the University’s approach about unauthorised absence from work?

Whilst we want to ensure that all colleagues enjoy the World Cup, unauthorised or unjustified absences are not allowed and the University’s Disciplinary Policy may apply where any colleague takes time off work without permission, without providing proper notification or without good reason.