Whether it be the human rights record of the host, or the unseasonal battle for space between wallcharts and Christmas decorations, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM fever appears muted.
Perhaps the biggest indicator of this subdued build-up is the paucity of law firm press releases regurgitating the same content about employees’ right to knock off early and what to do about staff sneaking a look at Qatar v Senegal when they should be working.
Kudos therefore to DAS Law, part of the wider insurance business, which offered the only news release so far with the classic, if a little wordy, title: ‘How to make sure you don’t get a red card while watching the World Cup at work.’
It’s pretty standard Q&A stuff, outlining that, no, staff do not have a legal right to watch sporting events during work time and there is little you can do to challenge a boss’s refusal.
There’s also a cautionary word for employers, including the advice that ‘it is important not to jump to conclusions if staff members call in sick when matches are taking place’. Obiter will be sure to make that clear when we’re skiving off to watch England v Iran on Monday lunchtime.
Our favourite PR nonsense comes from outside the legal world. One estate and lettings agent asks: ‘Can Gareth Southgate keep the housing market afloat?’ (We would be happy enough if he can find a way to include Saka and Foden in the same line-up).
Apparently, England’s failure to qualify for past tournaments resulted in the housing market deflating, while property prices have soared when the Three Lions have reached the semi or final. Even if you’re indifferent to the football but own property, that’s one reason at least to cheer on Harry Kane. (And Gareth Bale, of course.)
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