体坛英语新闻：Companies in Britain plan work flexibility for Olympics

LONDON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- More than half of employers in Britain are making changes to their working practices during the Olympics to enable staff to work more flexibly or enable them to watch key events at work, according to survey results released by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) on Tuesday.

Data from the annual CIPD/Hays Resourcing and Talent Planning survey, finds many employers are planning to allow greater flexibility for staff so they can avoid potential transport disruption.

The survey found that almost three in ten employers said they would try and accommodate requests from employees to work from home, 17 percent will extend flexible working opportunities, while 13 percent will actively encourage staff to work from home.

The survey findings are released as the CIPD launches new guidance on Sporting events and absence management which highlights the range of options employers can consider to minimize disruption to the business and help employees make the most of the Olympics and other sporting events such as the European Football Championships.

Rebecca Clake, Research Adviser at CIPD, said: "There are a range of options available to employers to enable them to balance the requirements of the business with the interests and needs of employees."

"Options such as flexi-time and home working can enable employees in parts of the country likely to face travel disruption as a result of the Olympics to spend their time working rather than stuck in traffic jams or adding to the pressure likely to be faced by our public transport system."

Of course some employers, for example, those providing public transport, will face additional demands during the Olympics and will have to manage their workforces carefully to ensure there are sufficient staff to deliver services.

The survey showed 35 percent of public sector employers are planning to restrict leave during the Olympics to cope with this challenge.

According to CIPD research, many employers are also making preparations to allow staff to watch key events in the workplace. Almost 31 percent of employers will make TVs available in the workplace and 11 percent will allow employees to view events online on their work computer.

"Many employers are making provisions to enable employees to watch key events in the workplace, recognizing that the Olympics is an opportunity to build morale and employee engagement," said Clake.

"It is of course also unacceptable to turn up to work so hung over that you are incapable of doing any work. Employers should make clear there are disciplinary consequences for taking unauthorized time off without good reason or not performing or misbehaving at work."