The kickoff of the biggest national team tournament on the planet, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, brought back a classic dilemma for Brazilian offices. With the ball rolling since last Thursday (11) at times that coincide with business hours, thousands of workers are looking for ways to cheer for their teams without compromising their professional routine.
As many matches take place in broad daylight on weekdays, there is a need to balance passion for sport with corporate responsibilities. The desire not to miss any action makes many employees look for alternatives to combine their workdays with live broadcasts.
What labor legislation says about gaming breaks
From a legal point of view, the competition calendar does not change contractual obligations, as the dates of the clashes are not considered holidays in Brazil. The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) is clear in not requiring the release of employees, leaving it to the sole discretion of employers to decide whether to grant time off, establish the time bank system for future compensation or simply maintain normal operations.
Although flexibility is a tradition in many firms, it is far from being a universal rule and varies depending on the culture of each business. Therefore, before turning on the television or radio, employees need to fully understand the guidelines adopted by their supervisor to avoid suffering disciplinary sanctions.
The importance of aligning with management before turning on the TV
To avoid any type of friction, transparent communication with superiors is the first step, as highlighted by Renato Mendes Baptista, leader of Mendes Talent. The expert highlights that the atmosphere in the stands can be excellent for uniting departments, as long as productivity does not drop and service to the external public continues to operate with excellence.
The executive, who has two decades of experience in the people management sector, warns that extreme attitudes, such as shouting, the use of profanity and the sudden abandonment of tasks, are the main causes of dismissals or warnings at this time. Furthermore, it is essential to have empathy with those professionals who simply do not like the sport and want to work in silence.
In the same vein, the leader of the Brazilian Association of Human Resources in São Paulo (ABRH-SP), Eliane Aere, points out that the festival is welcome to alleviate daily tension, but requires maturity. The corporate environment continues to be a business place, and any joke that goes beyond the limit and affects collective performance will be seen as a lack of professionalism.
Business strategies to maintain engagement without losing focus
Anticipating scenarios is the key to corporate success during the tournament, according to Fernando Pedro, Talenses Group executive heading Assigna. Organizations that promote joint screenings on big screens or strategic breaks are able to keep the team motivated without the financial results suffering negative impacts.
It is up to the Human Resources departments to write and publish clear booklets addressing sensitive topics, such as permission to wear team shirts, the absolute prohibition of alcoholic beverages and the use of common areas. All of these initiatives must be voluntary, ensuring the comfort of those who prefer to ignore the sporting event.
A practical example of this adaptation comes from the capital of São Paulo, where the GetNinjas platform transformed its headquarters with themed props and implemented the hybrid model. Contractors gained the freedom to choose whether they prefer to cheer for goals in their own office or in the comfort of their homes.
Practical recommendations for watching matches during office hours
- Consult your company’s conduct manual and speak to your direct supervisor before organizing any stoppage.
- Control your emotions during dangerous moves, avoiding punches at the table or scandalous celebrations that disrupt neighboring tables.
- Use your smartphone only to check quick results, not letting browsing social networks consume your working hours.
- Be considerate of colleagues in the sector who don’t care about the championship and need concentration.
- Ensure that all reports and projects are delivered within the stipulated deadline, regardless of the result in the field.
- Zero the consumption of alcoholic beverages and eliminate any type of hostile provocation against rival fans in the company’s physical space.
- Resume your activities with agility and total dedication as soon as the referee whistles the end of the match.
When managed intelligently, the period of international competitions has the power to break the ice and strengthen bonds between employees. The secret to preventing the celebration from becoming a career headache lies entirely in the application of common sense and daily mutual respect.
