Bosses warned of World Cup own goals

As World Cup fever heads towards boiling point, employers are being warned about the dangers of staff arriving at work drunk after watching early morning World Cup matches at the pub.

The world's biggest football tournament kicks off on May 31, but the first England game against Sweden takes place three days later on Thursday June 2, with the kick-off at 14.30 local time Japan/South Korea which is 6.30am in the UK. In addition the Republic of Ireland face Germany in their second World Cup match on Wednesday June 5 at 12.30 BST.

National law firm Bevan Ashford says employers will be liable for any accidents caused by inebriated staff who turn up to work high on a heady cocktail of national pride and lager after watching these and subsequent matches.

The firm says bosses should be preparing now for any possible problems which could arise during the World Cup tournament.

Difficulties are going to be created by the eight-hour time difference between the UK and Japan and South Korea where the matches are taking place.

Matches are due to be played between 6.30am and 12.30pm GMT, which means it would be possible to catch one of the early games before starting work.

Julian Hoskins, a partner in Bevan Ashford's Employment Department, said: "Quite apart from the obvious impact that early morning drinking is likely to have on productivity and profits, the employment law implications of such activity are far-reaching.

"An employer is under a strict legal duty to provide a safe place of work for all of its employees and to ensure the safety of third parties like customers or members of the general public.

"Employers must also bear in mind that they are legally responsible for acts carried out by their employees in the course of employment and no employer should underestimate the extent of its health and safety obligations."

Of course, employers don't have to be too heavy handed over the football the firm explains.

One option would be to host World Cup breakfasts, providing complimentary coffee and croissants for staff, along with some flexibility about the start of the working day when there's a particularly big game on.

Bevan Ashford is a national law firm with 82 partners and more than 600 staff working in seven offices throughout the UK. (MB)