On your marks, get set for time off as bosses encouraged to allow staff time to watch Olympics

Bosses are being encouraged to give staff time off to watch the Olympic Games.

Conciliatory service Acas suggested businesses put agreements in place covering requests for time off, sickness absence or watching TV during the Paris Olympics which start next week.

The call will add to concerns that modern employment practices such as working from home are damaging to productivity.

Acas argues that employees could come in a little later or finish earlier and then agree when this time can be made up and be allowed to listen to events on the radio or watch the TV.

‘‘Paris 2024 will be an exciting event for many fans but staff should avoid getting disqualified for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period,’’ said Chief Executive Susan Clews said.

For many businesses, maintaining a certain staffing level is critical in order to survive and sprint to that finish line.

‘‘Employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before the starting gun goes off for the Olympic Games. These agreements can help ensure businesses remain productive while keeping staff happy too.’’

Acas suggested employers could be more flexible when allowing staff time off, as well as reminding them their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the Olympics.

But Charlie Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers, said the advice was ‘ridiculous’ pointing out that a lot of people who work from home may be watching it already.

‘‘Would we allow our children not to go to school and watch TV? Of course, we would not,’’ he added.

‘‘Eventually, employees will not want to work at all and still get paid. Any business that allows this to happen should not be in business and will eventually go bust.’’

Billions around the globe are expected to tune in to watch the Games, which start on Friday.

More than 350,000 hours of TV will be broadcast during the two weeks of the Games in the UK.