Published at 14:56, Wednesday, 06 June 2012

EMPLOYERS across Cumbria are being warned to brace themselves for Olympic- inspired disruptions to people’s work patterns.

More than 40 million people in the UK are expected to tune in, while the opening ceremony alone is expected to reach a global audience of around four billion.

Cumbrian law firm Baines Wilson LLP is warning employers to be prepared for the 17-day spectacular, which gets under way on July 27.

Employers are likely to get a flood of requests from workers who want to get involved, or simply get time to watch their favourite events.

The firm says the Olympics will provide the opportunity for employers to build up goodwill with employees by taking a more flexible approach.

Joanne Holborn, a partner from the firm, and its head of the employment and training, said: “Employers can take steps to minimise unauthorised absence by implementing measures to accommodate requests to participate.

“These could include encouraging staff to book holiday for the days they wish to attend events, subject to maintaining minimum staffing levels. Employers can implement flexible working practices so that staff can take time to watch events at work.

“They should emphasise that flexible working must have prior approval and must fit with the operational needs of the business and that employees will be required to make up the time they have spent watching events.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk