http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10371728.stm

Not likely I suspect

We've been told we can come in tomorrow as a dress down day (but it has to show support to In-ger-lund) and we can watch the match as long as we make up the hours.

If you want to watch the match take a holiday or make the time up.

That seems nice and reasonable.

+1

I can understand the company making time for the semi-final or final, but every match?

That said, my last boss was a huge football fan and when we hosted the World Cup last time, I got to skive off home early in the afternoon.

We've got the projector setup in the meeting room as well as streaming to every desk.
Just need to get some beers in.

That sounds fair enough.

Same here at the research bunker. They are streaming the match in the Canteen and anyone can go along provided they have agreed with their line manager how to make the time up.
Having said that, anyone caught trying to stream it at their desk will be in trouble. I think that would break the hamster completely.

I'm a bit grumpy tbh. My work have said that anyone who agrees with their line manager beforehand, is up to date with their workload and doesn't have any customer issues outstanding can watch the game in the cafe. We've even got ITV coming in to film staff watching the game for the six 'oclock news

I'm up to date with my workload and I have no customer issues oustanding but I'm not allowed to bunk off work 2 hours early, or even claim reciprocal rights when the Stanley Cup final is on. My only gripe is that people aren't being asked to work back the 2 hours they're taking off, if they were I wouldn't mind, but taking 2 hours out of work for a foopball game without extending the same opportunity to everyone, regardless of sporting preference is not on.

Sounds a bit unfair. Sow the seeds of discrimination.

We have ALL games shown in the canteen on a projector and two tellys. England games can even be watched in the pubs.
Only one rule: Manager has to approve if people can watch or not.
People are being very reasonable, on non-England game maybe 10-15 people watch which is good considering that we have 500 or 600 people in Reading office. Also, you don't need to work hours back as long as you keep up with your deadlines.

It is common sense really, if you are there watching endless hours of football it means that you are not being worked hard enough and these days nobody wants to look dispensable. Works for the company and for people, no need to get unions involved...

Practically everyone in work today couldn't care less. I can think of three people who were interested, all of whom weren't rota'd in today through chance!
The PAT tester took off early however, meaning an early start for the canteen staff so he can catch up.

Tell them you want two hours off to watch the baseball or you'll strike. See if they get the irony.

My Virgin cable install was due to take place at 1-6pm today. The installer gave me a call and asked if he could come at 9am! I wonder why

I got a call from O2 about the iPhone 4 just as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes on the England vs Slovenia game. I wonder if they were hoping i wouldn't answer .