Q COSTARICA — Starting Thursday and for just over a month, workers around the world will be more distracted than usual thanks to the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Like the rest of the soccer-mad world, Costa Rica will be no exception, and although the national team won’t be participating, it’s clear that productivity is at risk of taking a significant hit in the coming weeks.
That’s why several human resources experts are offering specific recommendations so that workers can enjoy the football festivities without neglecting their duties.
At the same time, legal experts warn that the World Cup can also lead to dismissals without employer liability, especially in cases of unjustified absences, tardiness, misuse of electronic devices, and abandonment of work.
In these cases, these are cumulative actions that can lead the company to take action and even demand accountability for absences due to illness or injury.
In any case, a more flexible approach could yield positive results for both parties.
“It’s better to manage the World Cup proactively and strategically than to try to prohibit it. Ultimately, employees will always try to watch the matches somehow, potentially leading to unauthorized viewing or a significant and direct impact on their work rhythm,” said Amanda Arias Hernández, Master in Human Talent Management, university professor, and consultant at 360 Actualización.
The specialist emphasizes that the World Cup can become an excellent opportunity to maintain productivity while fostering a different, more participatory, and motivating work environment.
Companies can leverage this context to strengthen employee integration, sense of belonging, and commitment, “provided there are clear rules and a balance between flexibility and meeting work objectives,” she added.
Offering flexibility bonuses for employees who adequately fulfill their assigned tasks, leveraging the World Cup as a motivational factor through internal activities such as pools, contests, trivia, rallies, prize draws, and other events, as well as considering temporary adjustments to work schedules or breaks within a “valid and realistic” framework, are some of the recommendations.
Meanwhile, Doris Peters, president of DPA, a human resources management company, emphasized the importance of establishing clear rules on this matter, as productivity cannot be allowed to decline.
In this regard, the specialist pointed out that Costa Rica’s absence from the World Cup will likely result in less enthusiasm compared to the past; however, she acknowledged that “there are always fans.”
“Productivity cannot decrease. Special leave or vacation days can be granted to those who request them,” she added.
Furthermore, Peters outlined other strategies to allow employees who enjoy soccer to fulfill their duties while staying informed about the World Cup.
“There are several things that can be done. For example, games can be recorded and shown during lunch breaks, at least the summaries. Using creativity, results can be displayed on a screen or whiteboard. Shifts can also be changed when feasible, or the workday can be made more flexible in some way, depending on the industry and position,” the expert added.
Finally, in cases where an employee is more distracted than usual, it’s best for them to request vacation or unpaid leave.
2014 World Cup. Twelve years ago, back in 2014, managed by Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica achieved its best-ever World Cup result, officially ranking 8th in the world.
That tournament saw Costa Rica shock everyone by topping Group D with these results:
- A 3-1 win over Uruguay
- A 1-0 victory against Italy
- A goalless draw with England
The “Sele,” Costa Rica’s national team, then advanced to the round of 16, where they faced Greece. Despite being down to 10 players, Costa Rica held Greece to a 1-1 draw, pushed the game into extra time, and then triumphed 5-3 in a gripping penalty shootout, thanks to a crucial save by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
In the quarter-finals, they battled the Netherlands for 120 intense minutes. The match ended 0-0, but Costa Rica’s run came to an end after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in the penalty shootout.