2012 - A Sporting HR Challenge Here, Julie Sykes of Huddersfield based JCS HR, looks at the challenges major sporting events in 2012 could potentially present for employers, and how to plan in order to minimise the risk of issues arising. http://www.jcs-hr.co.uk

1. 2012 – A Sporting HR Challenge
2012 is a particularly busy year for UK sport. As well as the usual big events, including Formula 1,
Wimbledon and Six Nations Rugby, there are two massive international events taking place, which will
involve UK teams. 8 June to 1 July sees Euro 2012 taking place in Poland and Ukraine, and 27 July to 12
August sees the biggest of them all – the London 2012 Olympics.
Here, Julie Sykes of Huddersfield based JCS HR, looks at the challenges
these could potentially present for employers, and how to plan in order to
minimise the risk of issues arising.
“The two big events in particular have the potential to present some big HR
challenges and now is the time to start planning how to handle them – are
you simply going to react to issues that might arise, or do you want to do
something more proactive to minimise issues in the first place? You could
even make the most of one, or more, of these events and use them to build
morale, improve team working or reward staff.
At the very least it will pay to start thinking about how you will handle such things as higher than normal
requests for time off in these periods, unplanned and unauthorised absence and/or lateness, requests
from staff to work from home, or employees using the internet to check results or watch live coverage
during working time.
Rather than just reacting to issues if and when they arise, it makes better business sense to take proactive
action now. For example:
- Ensuring that staff understand the company’s policies in relation to things such as:
o Requests for time off
o How unauthorised absence or lateness will be managed
o Company policy on internet usage.
- Developing policies to cope with the unusual circumstances. For example:
o Requests for increased flexibility in working hours
o Dealing with requests for time off from employees selected as Games Makers.
For media information please contact Jenny Clayton @ point2pr on
07545 696713 / 01484 655233 or
email jenny@point2pr.com

2. Although these events do have the potential to disrupt normal business activities, if handled well there
are also opportunities to gain major business benefits. There are a whole range of things that could be
done to boost team working, improve morale, reward and recognise staff contribution, and build or
enhance relationships with clients.
All it takes is some thought and planning and 2012 could turn out to be the opportunity you have been
looking for to enhance your company’s reputation, both as an employer and as a supplier or service
provider.”
If you would like more help or assistance in this area please call Julie on 01484 602708, or you can visit
the web site at http://www.jcs-hr.co.uk.
You can also follow Julie at http://www.twitter.com/@HRJulie.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
• Julie Sykes has worked in the human resources industry for 25 years.
• JCS HR Consulting is based in Huddersfield and services Yorkshire and Manchester areas.
• JCS HR provides consultancy across all sectors including manufacturing, government, media,
financial services, medical and engineering.
• JCS HR has provided consultancy for groups of up to 1000 people.
For media information please contact Jenny Clayton @ point2pr on
07545 696713 / 01484 655233 or
email jenny@point2pr.com