With 179 days to the Olympics, and an anticipated 70,000 volunteers working on the games, ACAS has issued guidance encouraging businesses to think about arrangements early to avoid last minute disruption.
There is no legal entitlement to leave for voluntary work and it may be necessary to adopt a ‘first come, first serve’ policy and consider whether leave will be unpaid or paid. This can also apply where a number of employees request annual leave on the same day.
You should consider how to deal with employees who have travel disrupted and whether to implement flexible working or remote working. Sickness absence may also increase on particular days which return to work interviews may assist with. There may be performance issues with staff watching television on their computers which could be assisted by allowing this at particular times of the day.
Whilst the prospect of considering these points may be daunting, effective planning will minimise the impact of the games whilst flexibility will hopefully boost morale.