• 8th July is set to be Britain’s most unproductive day this summer due to several high profile sporting events.
• Wimbledon, the British Formula 1 Grand Prix practice sessions and the Tour de France all take place during working hours on Friday 8th July.
• Male employees will be twice as unproductive as their female co-workers this summer (22 percent against 12 percent).

With several high profile sporting events clashing on the same day, the 8th July is set to be Britain’s most unproductive day this summer, new research by HR & payroll provider Moorepay has revealed.

Wimbledon, the British Formula 1 Grand Prix practice sessions and the Tour de France all take place during working hours on Friday 8th July and, following one of the EURO 2016 semi-finals the previous day, absences will spike while productivity is set to plummet, warns Moorepay. One-third of the UK workforce is planning on watching these sporting events while at work, with one in six (17 percent) admitting that their productivity will drop as a result. Business owners, on the other hand, are underestimating the impact these events will have on their staff, with three-quarters (79 percent) believing productivity in their company will be unaffected. With, on average, 10 percent of staff on leave any given week throughout July and August, and nearly one in ten employees planning on calling in sick to watch sporting events, businesses will face staff shortages and prolonged dips in productivity this summer.

“It’s important for UK companies of all sizes to consider the most appropriate way of managing the busy summer of sporting events in 2016,” said Alison Dodd, managing director of Moorepay. “The impact of lower employee engagement, absence, and loss of focus in the current business climate could be devastating for business performance, particularly among SMEs.” Worryingly, over two-thirds of businesses (69 percent) currently don’t have a clear policy in place that allows their employees to watch these sporting events while at work. Overall, male employees will be twice as unproductive as their female co-workers this summer (22 percent against 12 percent).

“Planning ahead, and reviewing or implementing flexible working policies over this period is one way employers can not only mitigate any potential losses in productivity but also bolster employee engagement by considering the needs of both parties,” Alison Dodd concluded. Additionally, the research has also found that: 58 percent of Millennials plan to watch sporting events while at work this summer. Worrying, Millennials are more likely to call in sick to watch a sporting event than any other age groups – 20 percent vs 4 percent for over 35s. The Rio Olympics is the most popular event for over 55s whereas the EURO 2016 is most popular with all other demographics The Rio Olympics are also the most popular events amongst women, while men are most interested in the EURO 2016.