Big-hearted employers are being encouraged to show understanding to their employees before England’s early hours match against Mexico on Monday. Following Harry Kane’s impressive performance against DR Congo, fans are gearing up for a challenging 1 am kickoff time, which could extend past 3 am if the game goes into penalties. Despite the late hour, a massive 17.8 million fans are expected to stay up to witness the excitement.

Research by VoucherCodes indicates that 14.3 million fans will be watching from home, while an additional 3.5 million supporters plan to take advantage of extended licensing hours by heading to pubs and other venues. This enthusiasm for the game is likely to result in a nation of tired workers the next day, with many seeking special considerations from their employers, such as starting work later or requesting time off.

One PR firm, Ready10, has already granted its employees a later start time on Monday, allowing them to log in at 10:30 am instead of the usual 9 am. This decision was made by account manager Ozzy Patlar, who selected this perk as a reward for winning the employee of the year award. Ozzy’s thoughtful gesture has been well-received by the office, especially by those who live outside London and face longer commutes.

While some employers are accommodating the football frenzy, others are being urged to offer flexibility to their staff. Experts emphasize the importance of considering employees’ enthusiasm for the World Cup and suggest options like a later start time, hybrid working, or flexible hours to boost morale and acknowledge the significance of major sporting events to many workers.

As fans prepare for the game, there is a mix of excitement and fatigue anticipated, with late-night sales projections in various sectors. Despite the economic impact of the match, sleep experts highlight the importance of a post-game cool-down routine to ensure fans can rest properly and perform well the following day.