Sore throats, sickness, and argy-bargy: UK workplaces the morning after the match

The tournament is nearly over for England: just the third-place match to go against France. It’s been a World Cup of late starts and early finishes, but England played Argentina at 8pm. So, what effect did that have on UK workers? 

The average lateness on Thursday 16th July was 42 minutes: the highest all week. We expect to see a shorter shift pattern today and increased hours for the next few days, as employees work their time back. 

Sickness absence rose 29% compared to Monday 6th July (the morning after the 1am kick-off against Mexico). We saw many employers (including at BrightHR) giving workers a late start after the Mexico match, knowing that many people would be up until the early hours. As the Argentina game was an 8pm kick off, employers expected their teams to turn up on time, leading to increased sickness as hangovers struck. 

And the reasons for sickness rolled in: some employees quoted the World Cup, football fever, and hangovers being responsible for their absence. Many more were suffering from upset stomachs, tiredness, lost voices, and not being safe to drive. 

Annual leave bookings for Monday 20th July (the day after the World Cup final) also rose nearly 7% in the days leading up to the England match against Argentina. We’ll keep an eye on how many of those requests are cancelled now that England is out of the running... 

At the beginning of the World Cup, employers were urged to give their teams as much leeway as possible. But when you’re struggling with a lack of staff, dealing with last-minute absences, or sickness is causing health & safety issues, it might be time to consider people management software. 

 Want to keep a full team on the pitch during a busy summer? You can reduce disruption, manage absences, and save time with BrightHR:  

• Secure your starting XI with smart shift and rota planning  

• Tackle absences with ease with people management tools  

• Record extra time with the clocking-in app  

• Give HR red tape the red card with instant HR advice, 24/7 

Ready to see how it works? Book your demo with a friendly BrightHR expert here.

Even if you’re not a football fan, your business has been affected by football fever, with increased sickness, annual leave, and lateness. View the BrightHR infographic for exclusive insights on how football changed UK workplaces in 2026.