Amicus say its World Cup 'sickie' advice scored great result
Monday 19th June 2006
Leading trade union, Amicus, said its advice on how to avoid
taking a sickie to watch England’s World Cup matches has prompted a
surge of visits to its website.
Amicus’
World Cup Fever advice
caused a massive 177% increase on its average daily website hits
with 31,669 page views. The union says that visitors to its site
last Thursday (15th June), the day the article was publicised, were
up more than 400% on the same day last week.
The union says the initiative has also bumped up its
recruitment, with online applications for membership up 33% and
page views for Amicus’ membership page up by 235%. Amicus said that
increased viewings carried right through the weekend with visitors
to the site up by 1,500 on the same period the week
before.
Derek Simpson, General Secretary of Amicus, said:
“Yesterday’s website figures just go to prove that
responsible advice for people about how to go about balancing their
work and supporting England in the World Cup was desperately
needed.
“Amicus’ World Cup Fever guide explains to people
how they should negotiate with their employer flexible working
arrangements and the serious consequences that taking a sickie
might entail.”
Amicus recommends employees should look at their employment
contract and work policies to see if they have a right to book time
off under flexible working, lieu time or holiday. It also suggests
that union negotiator can help persuade employers to find ways to
let people watch the World Cup, for example allowing people to
watch it together at work on a big screen.
The union advice warns people that taking time off work
without permission can lead to dismissal for ‘gross
misconduct’.
For World Cup and other employment advice visit
Amicus’ website on www.amicustheunion.org
- Ends -
For further information please contact Catherine
Bithell in the Amicus press office on 020 7 420 8909 or 07958 473
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