World Cup fever is failing to reach UK IT departments, according to a survey by the IT Job Board.
 
With only 14% of IT pros having booked annual leave to watch the matches, and a mere 8% admitting they will call in sick to watch the England games, it seems that companies won’t suffer from issues relating to staff absenteeism.
 
The survey polled both IT staff and employers, and when it came to employee responses, nearly two thirds (62%) said they won’t be watching any games during working hours.

Only 21% of respondents stated that their employers had put plans in place to enable them to watch key games during working hours. In the survey, 15% also thought their companies were stricter this year than for the previous World Cup in 2006 – perhaps a reflection of the current economic climate and the need to maximise staff activity.     

In terms of employers, 68% advised that they were not concerned about absenteeism issues. However, over three quarters (80%) were permitting flexible working hours, and 50% said they would allow staff to take time off.

Alex Farrell, managing director of The IT Job Board, said: “It would be fair to say that a large number of commentators have suggested that – so far – the first round of the World Cup has failed to live up to expectations. It would seem that IT pros agree, with small numbers taking annual leave, and many showing their professionalism by not ‘pulling sickies’.”