Outbreak fears over World Cup 'fever'

An epidemic of "World Cup-itis" is likely to break out this summer with sick-note skivers disrupting businesses and preventing genuinely ill people seeing a GP.

A new report forecasts thousands of people will use every ruse possible to get time off to watch England matches, including faking illness.

Chris Bleakley, of workplace experts Resource Management, says England games played in Korea and Japan during UK working hours will be cause chaos in some offices.

"England's first round games cut right into the workday, including a showdown against Argentina at lunchtime and another match at breakfast. By law, employers can demand a sick note only when a staff member has been absent for more than five working days in a row. However, to cover a World Cup 'virus', an employee can still get a sick note and there is little bosses can do about it."

GP Graham Ward predicts up to an hour a day of his surgery time could be taken up with what he brands "24-hour World Cup-itis". He adds: "That means two to three genuinely ill people per doctor might not be able to get an appointment when they need it."

Mr Bleakley says it is better to let fans work flexible hours and take longer lunchbreaks than not turn up at all. "Firms must try to incorporate England games into their workdays."

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