This year’s Super Bowl will be watched by over 100 million viewers – and you can be sure that number will include many of your employees. They’ll tune in to watch the game, the commercials, the halftime show, or just a glimpse of Taylor Swift. Regardless of the reason, your employees will likely be excited about the event and may participate in activities before, during, and after the big game. Will they be placing bets? Donning their team’s gear? Engaging in banter? Calling out “sick” on Monday? Attending the championship parade? Here are four key tips to help you prepare for these scenarios so you can win Super Bowl Sunday regardless of the outcome.
Managing Productivity
Super Bowl week is notorious for decreasing productivity. Sports fans will spend the week leading up to the game reading about the teams, texting their Mahomies with analyses and predictions, posting about the game on social media, watching videos, planning parties, and even betting on games – often on employer-owned devices. Indeed, the work slowdown in the week before the Super Bowl could cost employers over $6.5 billion in lost productivity, according to estimates from consulting firm Challenger, Gray, and Christmas.
The best practice is to enforce productivity standards in the days leading up to the game just like any other business day. Employees inevitably spend part of every working day on personal business, such as running errands, shopping online, making personal calls, texting friends and family, or chatting with co-workers. Recognizing this reality, most companies ultimately care about whether employees are completing their work according to company standards. Generally, maintaining a happy workforce – particularly for salaried workers – is the key to maintaining a productive workforce, so micromanaging employees to make sure they are not distracted during Super Bowl week is not a Purdy good idea.
Of course, many hourly workers and employees in certain industries may need to operate without distractions and all employees are expected to continue working diligently at all times while on the clock. No matter your situation, make sure to consistently enforce your productivity standards and associated policies for the win.
Dress Codes and Appropriate Workplace Conduct
While Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium will be a sea of burning red jerseys on Super Bowl Sunday, you may want to address your company’s dress code in the days leading up to the game – especially if your offices are located in the Kansas City or San Francisco areas. Employers who allow workers to show up to work rocking a Patrick Mahomes or Brock Purdy jersey, or otherwise dress in their team’s apparel, should clearly communicate what attire is permitted in the workplace.
Employees should understand that they are still required to dress appropriately while supporting their team. While you may not physically see many of your remote workers, you should be clear in your communications that the same dress code applies to those who plan to appear virtually for internal or external meetings or will otherwise be representing your company outside of their remote conditions during work hours. It is also important that employers consider any safety concerns related to workplace attire that may arise based on the type of work being conducted.