Small Businesses Give In to World Cup

Economists haven’t studied the issue, but it would not be surprising to learn that the World Cup has had a measurable impact on global productivity. In many work places around the world, employees are glued to the nearest TV for much of the day, watching the games.

The games create a management challenge for businesses, who risk alienating workers by offending national sensibilities. The winning strategy appears to be simple: Give in and go with the flow. Small businesses reportedly are leading the way.

The Associated Press reports that small businesses around the U.S. are happy to let workers watch the game. Productivity may fall over the short run, but the games boost morale and can’t help but foster a sense of community.

The AP reports:

• At Ocean View Landscaping in Delaware, owner Mitch Boyle had to cancel jobs the first day of the games, when Mexico and South Africa played to a 1-1 tie. Several of his workers, who are Mexican, told him they wouldn't be working that day.
• Boyle was an understanding boss. "It was important to them," he said. The Ocean View workers also took some time off when Mexico played Uruguay on Tuesday.
• At Tasty Catering in suburban Chicago, a number of employees are also of Mexican origin. The company's management made satellite radio available to the kitchen staff, which is often at work at 5 or 6 a.m., so they could listen to games, spokeswoman Julie Baron said. For safety's sake, there's no TV in the kitchen, but workers can watch games in other parts of the building during breaks.

None of this is new, of course. The World Series creates a similar dilemma in the U.S. But the World Cup plays out over a longer period of time and draws in more workers in more countries.

There are some small businesses—such as medical offices—where the soccer time out simply won’t work. We hope that nuclear power plant operators and air traffic controllers are content to record the games as well.