Employers' group supports watching World Cup at work
Germany’s bosses should allow their workers to watch daytime World Cup games on the job, head of the BDA national employers' association Dieter Hundt said on Thursday.
Many of the football tournament games – including a Germany game at 1:30 pm on June 18 – are scheduled for early afternoon on weekdays in South Africa, which means some fans will miss out on watching their team play live during working hours.
But Hundt said employers should provide the option for employees to watch these games.
“I am confident that bearing operational conditions in mind, employers will react flexibly and find individual solutions with their staff,” Hundt told daily Berliner Zeitung.
But every company must decide alone “to what extent the broadcast of World Cup games can bring harmony in the business working hours,” he added.
Hundt’s comments garnered support from Michael Sommer, the leader of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB), who said watching games together was a team-building activity.
“Employers would be well-advised to allow public viewings for employees to follow the German team live, as long as it doesn’t disturb operations,” Sommer told the paper.
“Just such shared group experiences lead to solidarity and motivate the workers,” he added.
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Many of the football tournament games – including a Germany game at 1:30 pm on June 18 – are scheduled for early afternoon on weekdays in South Africa, which means some fans will miss out on watching their team play live during working hours.
But Hundt said employers should provide the option for employees to watch these games.
“I am confident that bearing operational conditions in mind, employers will react flexibly and find individual solutions with their staff,” Hundt told daily Berliner Zeitung.
But every company must decide alone “to what extent the broadcast of World Cup games can bring harmony in the business working hours,” he added.
Hundt’s comments garnered support from Michael Sommer, the leader of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB), who said watching games together was a team-building activity.
“Employers would be well-advised to allow public viewings for employees to follow the German team live, as long as it doesn’t disturb operations,” Sommer told the paper.
“Just such shared group experiences lead to solidarity and motivate the workers,” he added.
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