England fans sent urgent legal warning about booking Monday off work if they win Euro 2024 final
England fans have been sent an urgent legal warning about booking Monday off work.
England fans have been sent an urgent legal warning about booking Monday off work should the Three Lions win the European Championship final on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s men take on Spain in Munich in their second successive Euro final and third-ever major tournament final.
England booked their place in the showpiece event after Ollie Watkins dispatched a dramatic 90th-minute winner to see off the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Spain have won all six of their games so far, including victories against Croatia, Italy, Germany and France.
With England on the cusp of winning their first major trophy since 1966, the prospect of going to work on Monday morning may feel an almighty task.
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However, David Rice, an HR expert at People Managing People, has issued a word of warning to football fans considering ‘pulling a sickie’ the day after the final.
Rice stated via Manchester Evening News: “Ultimately, as long as you book in your holiday by adhering to your workplace’s policy on annual leave, then there is nothing your boss can do to stop you from taking a day off to celebrate (or drown your sorrows) after the Euros final. However, there are some important considerations you might want to make before doing so.
“Yes, you might not be the only person in your workplace who has this idea. But, simply not turning up to work on Monday morning if you’re feeling a little worse for wear is probably not the best idea.
“Obviously if you’re genuinely too ill to work, your boss must take your word on this. However, if you had one too many drinks and there’s evidence of this on social media too, depending on your work’s policy, this could be enough evidence to be considered a ‘non-genuine sick day’.
England are in their second successive European Championship final (Getty)
“This could potentially lead to a dismissal, as it amounts to a breach of the implied term of ‘mutual trust and confidence’ that is the foundation of an employment relationship.”
He added: “As long as you follow the dedicated sick leave policy in your workplace, it’s very difficult for a business to sack you, even if you call in sick following a sporting event like the Euros.
“So if you are genuinely ill, and need to take time off work to recover, make sure to do this as much in advance as you can, and check to see whether your workplace requires a doctor’s note, or return to work assessment.
“However, businesses will be well aware that some of these absences might be hangover-related. If your colleagues have access to your social media and see you cheering on the match, they might raise suspicions about the integrity of your sick leave, and you could face disciplinary action, as this would be considered a conduct issue.”
