Bosses are being urged to allow football fans to finish work early so they can watch England's Euro 2020 clash with Germany on Tuesday.
The TUC has asked company chiefs to be flexible to allow as many staff as possible to see the last-16 match, which kicks off at 5pm.
It could include employees starting early and finishing early, or making up the time later.
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TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: "Bosses should talk to their staff and try to let people who want to watch games do so – at work or at home – and then claim back the time afterwards.
"Whether it’s about major sporting events like Euro 2020, attending a medical appointment or picking up the kids from school, allowing people more flexibility in how and when they do their work makes them happier.
"It cuts absenteeism and raises productivity."
More than one in five UK employees work evenings and weekends, with many wanting to catch the action.
In pubs and homes across the country an estimated 22 million people could be watching the game.
This would be a record TV audience so far this year, reports The Mirror.
The hospitality trade predicts five million pints will be sold during the game – and 1.5 million more if it goes to extra time.
British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: "England vs Germany is always a big match.
"We hope England fans will buy over five million pints when watching the Three Lions in this nail-biting fixture."
Bookies said fans are feeling unusually optimistic about England’s chances. Millions of bets will be placed on the game – and more punters have placed money on England winning than Germany.
William Hill said half of all bets on the game are for England to win, but it expects this figure to rise to two-thirds by kick-off.
Spokesman Rupert Adams said: “Astonishingly, we have more money on England beating Germany on penalties than vice-versa – England fans appear to have short memories.
“We expect the England-Germany game to be the biggest of the tournament to date and could even see the biggest turnover ever on a single game.”
Ladbrokes said its most popular bets are for England to win 5-1 as they did against Germany in 2001, or Germany to win on penalties.
Alex Apati, from Ladbrokes, said: “Punters are seemingly convinced history will repeat itself one way or another on Tuesday night."
Katie Baylis, from Betfair, said England are "slight favourites".
