On Wednesday, a notable increase in employees calling in sick, working from home, or taking a day off is anticipated due to England’s final group game in the Euro 2024 and an expected heatwave.
Following a chilly and rainy start to June, warm weather is forecasted to sweep across the UK starting Monday, with temperatures potentially reaching 31°C in south-east England.
England is set to face Slovenia at 8 pm on Tuesday in their last group stage match. Although the game’s timing doesn’t clash with typical working hours, fans recovering from the event may choose to enjoy a relaxed day in the sun on Wednesday, according to business experts.
Farzana Parkar, founder of Face2FaceHR, highlighted that there’s a high probability of employees calling in sick, particularly if England wins. “People might opt for a sick day, especially if it’s the hottest day of the year,” she noted.
Record temperatures and a key football game could disrupt typical Wednesday office routines.The current highest temperature recorded this year was 27.5°C on May 12 in Surrey, but Monday’s temperatures are expected to reach 28°C, with peaks of 30-31°C on Wednesday and Thursday, surpassing the seasonal average of 19-20°C.
Liam Eslick, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, confirmed that the highest temperatures will be in south-east England, including London, but the warmth will be felt across much of the country.
Melanie Steel, founder of People Change Expertise, anticipated a shift in work patterns due to the weather and the football match.
“Many hybrid workers might choose to work from home on Wednesday,” she said, predicting that those who go to the office on Tuesday night might work from home the next day.
Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, warned that businesses should prepare for increased HR activity, with more sick leave and holiday requests, recalling a June 2022 heatwave when such requests surged significantly.