A flexible working approach will minimise employee absenteeism during the London 2012 Olympic Games, SunGard Availability Services have said.

Keith Tilley, managing director, UK, and executive vice-president, Europe, said that organisations should put measures to keep workers content “high on the priority list”.

He warned: “Over one in five adults are willing to take unauthorised time off to watch high profile events this summer, making a HR headache a good deal worse for managers and businesses. It’s a hugely exciting time, and there’s no reason employees have to abandon ship to enjoy it. Rather, an appropriate flexible working approach will help minimise employee absenteeism and increase engagement amongst employees.

Tilley recommended that firms consider installing communal TVs and allowing employees’ time to view high-profile events to avoid damaging office morale.

He added: “The benefits don’t stop there. While the Olympics provide a great opportunity to put flexible working plans into practice, it’s important organisations think beyond the Games and how continuity planning can create a strategic advantage for the business.

“Encouragingly, research from SunGard Availability Services shows British businesses are taking this message on board. Over half of those that have taken steps to mitigate Olympics-related disruption believe that adopting these practices longer-term will make their businesses more efficient. Almost half say it will make them more resilient, over a third more competitive and one fifth a better place to work, while almost a fifth believe it will give them greater operating capacity.”

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