Two very important events are happening this year;
1) The Olympics comes to London; and
2) Fisher Jones Greenwood comes to London!
FJG are opening a Fleet Street office from the start of February and it has caused some excitement in the Essex offices. We are all very happy and proud of our new addition but some of us are apprehensive about how event No. 1 will affect our new commuting arrangements and opportunities for holiday requests.
No doubt there will be unusually high requests for holidays this summer, either to watch the games, avoid them or to help take part if your employees have volunteered to be 'Games Makers'. The balance will be a tricky one to effect to ensure no one feels hard done by, discriminated against, or misses out on any pre booked tickets.
It is worth considering now what policies and contractual obligations you already have in place and seeing where gaps can be filled or clarified with some extra policies. However, beware issuing a statement regarding 'first come first served' for holiday requests as you may find yourself inundated on the first day and potential claims of inequality from part time worker who were not in that day. There could always be a 'draw' in which employees have an even chance to take holidays. If this seems too flippant managers will need to ascertain what the requirements of each department are and see what options they have. Could you provide a room with the games on and let employees take flexible lunches to coincide with the events they would like to watch?
The volunteering for 'Games Makers' will be the subject of new ACAS guidance which, if relevant to your business, will make for helpful reading. At present, and in the absence of this, you will need to decide if the employee is taking annual leave or unpaid leave. Be aware that this could set a precedent. You should have a clear process in mind for grating this leave and if you do not have one already should consider placing a policy reflecting this in your staff handbook.