Lawyer warns fans about pulling a sicky after Euros 2024 final
You really are lying if you haven't fantasised about taking the day off work when football (hopefully) comes home this weekend.
England dramatically booked themselves a place in the final of Euro 2024 after Ollie Watkins' last-minute goal was enough to see off the Netherlands on Wednesday evening (10 July).
The game finished 2-1 to England, with Harry Kane dispatching a controversial spot kick in the first half after Xavi Simons' wonder goal in the seventh minute.
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Gareth Southgate's lions will now face the team of the tournament in Spain on Sunday (14 July).
“Well, we have to get the ball off them first." the manager quipped last night.
“It’s not as simple as us having the ball and making them run. I mean, they press very, very well, so we’re going to have to be exceptional with the ball, and we’re going to have to be exceptional without it.”
The men's squad made history after becoming the first to reach two consecutive Euro finals in a row after losing out to Italy on penalties last time around.
Spain vs England is scheduled for an 8pm (BST) kick-off on Sunday (14 July) and the match will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Now, if you are thinking of pulling a sicky on Monday (15 July), you could find yourself in some serious trouble, according to an expert at national law firm Richard Nelson LLP.
Prior to the tournament, Jayne Harrison, head of employment law at the firm, said that if a worker does lie about their physical state to get time off work, this could amount to gross misconduct and a fair reason in some circumstances for being let go by their employer.
Harrison said: “Many supporters will be enjoying a few drinks during the game.
"That said, it’s important people remember to drink responsibility and ensure they’re in a fit state to work on the Monday morning.
“If an employer thinks their employee has called in sick and it is not genuine - such as to recover from a hangover - then they can investigate the case and may take disciplinary action over unauthorised absence.
“For those wanting to indulge on Sunday night we’d encourage you to book annual leave for the following Monday, avoiding not turning up for work at all or worse being dismissed.
"Over the last few years companies across the country have embraced flexible working and we’d encourage them to do so during the Euros.
“Where possible many companies may be able to offer an early finish or even remote working for the afternoon and this is something we’d advocate.”
During the last Euros in 2021, one England fan was let go after she called in sick to attend the semi-final against Denmark at Wembley.
Probably not the best idea in hindsight.
Anish Vij