Staff absenteeism is predicted to rise with the start of the football World Cup.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is warning employers to be prepared for a rise in employee absence as the World Cup approaches.

According to a poll by the HR body, nine out of ten employers have no plans in place to help manage staff absence during the World Cup, which kicks off in South Africa on 11 June 2010.

Only 5% of the 1,000 employers interviewed in the CIPD poll have developed a policy on absence, with a further 5% currently developing one.

CIPD Advisor, John McGurk, comments: “It’s alarming that only 10% of employers are drafting or already have guidance in place to manage absence during the World Cup. Research suggests that when employers demonstrate they care about their staff and their interests outside of work, employees are more likely to go the extra mile for the organisation.

“Whatever individual organisations decide is right for their employees, guidance should be clear and communicated well.”

The CIPD says there are a number of approaches that employers could adopt to avoid compromising the efficiency of both employee and employer:

•    Flexible working hours
•    Shift swaps
•    Unpaid leave
•    Special screening of matches on premises

Deloitte Human Capital Director, Gert de Beer, has urged employers to embrace, rather than ignore the World Cup.

“Employers need to ensure that positive morale is built up around the World Cup and put appropriate measures in place,” said de Beer.

“It is important to remember that your employees are people with needs and interests that extend beyond their job,” he added.

The CIPD has produced guidelines to manage World Cup related absence. Click here to read more.