England fans will be gearing up to watch the Three Lions clash against Denmark in the semi-final of the Euros 2020 tomorrow night - but what about those who have to work?
If you’re scheduled in for a shift during the match, or want to take the day off after, you might be considering taking a holiday day.
As kick-off starts at 8pm, most people will have finished work when the game is on - however, there will be some working in the evening, or who will be mid-way through their work.
Most workers who will be contractually required to work at this time will be in hospitality, manufacturing and public services.
Ultimately, any time off has to be agreed in advance with your employer and if you’re contracted to work certain times and days, they can refuse your leave.
This is because there is usually no obligation on an employer to accept a holiday request.
Can I book time off for the England Euro 2020 game?
Employees can ask for time off at relatively short notice, although again, it is down to the discretion of your boss to approve it.
According to the Gov.uk website, you should aim to give notice that is at least twice the amount of time you want to take off, plus one day.
So for example, if you want to take one week off, you should aim to book your holiday at least two weeks’ plus one day before you want to go.
In terms of taking one day off for the England match, you ideally should have asked your boss for time off on Friday last week, giving them two working days’ notice, plus one day.
But even if you haven’t already had your time off approved, it still doesn’t hurt to ask as they may still approve your leave anyway.
David Sheppard, employment lawyer at Capital Law, told The Mirror: “Good practice for some employers will be to allow last minute leave requests due to the exceptional nature of the event.
“It is also good for the general wellbeing it will have for staff morale and employee relations, especially following the challenging past year for everyone.
“For some employers, good employee relations mean that – unless there are overriding business operational needs for an employee to be in attendance – a last minute leave request can be granted, allowing early finishes or at least permitting downtime during the game.”
An employer can refuse leave requests or cancel leave but they must generally give as much notice as the amount of leave requested - unless your contract states otherwise.
You should also keep in mind that your employer may have their own rules about annual leave, or about how many people can be off at once.
Jack Khurana, an employment partner with law firm Spencer West, added: “Some organisations may have no choice but to refuse holiday requests to avoid being short-staffed.
“Organisations are likely to be receiving multiple requests from staff for time off to watch the match – or to recover the next day!
“In those situations, the employer should follow their annual leave policy, which may mean granting holiday requests on a first come, first served basis.“
If your holiday request isn’t approved, and you don’t show up to work anyway to watch the match, your boss could put this down as an unauthorised absence, which could result in disciplinary action.
You also wouldn't be entitled to any pay for that time.
Almost all workers in the UK are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year, which can include bank holidays.
This includes agency workers, workers with irregular hours and workers on zero-hours contracts.
Most employees who work a five-day week must receive at least 28 days’ paid annual leave a year, equivalent to 5.6 weeks’ holiday.
Part-time workers are entitled to at least 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday, but this will amount to fewer than 28 days.
