World Cup could cost employers as workers tune into matches, survey finds

Employers worldwide may face significant productivity losses during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with a new survey estimating the cost at $17 billion. The tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, is expected to disrupt workplaces as employees adjust their schedules to follow the matches.

Research from UKG indicates that 37% of workers plan to alter their work routines because of the World Cup. The survey, which polled 8,000 employees across eight countries including the U.S., Canada, and Germany, found that 27% of employees are likely to be late, leave early, or miss work entirely. Furthermore, 11% admitted they would work while hungover, and 14% confessed to secretly streaming matches and highlights during work hours.

This year's expanded tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 nations and 104 games. UKG projects that the U.S. alone could incur $11.7 billion in lost productivity costs, with Germany following at $1.34 billion. Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG, noted the immediate and expensive impact of widespread absenteeism and presenteeism, which can lead to decreased productivity, a decline in customer experience, and lower morale as colleagues cover for absent team members.

Managers are not immune to the tournament's allure. The survey revealed that 42% of managers plan to take time off, and 45% intend to request last-minute schedule flexibility to watch games.

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When absenteeism and presenteeism hit at scale, the effect is immediate and expensive.