Boost morale by giving employees day off for sports

The risks of low morale on the job run the gamut, from low productivity to absenteeism, and downright quitting — never a goalpost when it comes to keeping employees happy and on the job.

Some companies are taking that notion and running with it by, for example, giving employees the day off after the Super Bowl, reports the Associated Press this week about this up and coming trend of treating sports events like national holidays with time off, parties and more.

It seems, from water cooler discussions that never seem to end, events like the Super Bowl and March Madness are taking away from work anyway, according to the article.

“I’ve had clients who have complained about the amount of downtime that these events have caused. They ask, ‘should we limit it?’” said Mark Kluger, an employment law attorney in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, adding that that can be a “shortsighted” response.

“The past few years, it’s been more difficult to find employees,” Mr. Kluger told the wire service. “Employers do have to be more sensitive to keeping employees happy.”

Instead, employers might want to take the long view — these major sports events happen once a year, according to some executives who spoke to the AP.