Sports events could boost staff morale
Barbara Myers, Associate Professor of Human Resources Management at AUT Business School, says big sporting events can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing and serve as a great team-building opportunity.
Her expertise echoes the call in the United Kingdom by the Trades Union Congress for employers to give staff greater flexibility during the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup, currently underway in Australia and New Zealand
In a recent article published in Human Resources Director magazine, Barbara points to recent research by Anglia Ruskin University in the UK on the impact of live sporting events on wellbeing.
“They sampled 7000 people of all age groups and found that attending live sporting events has a really positive effect on people's wellbeing and sense of satisfaction,” she says.
At a time when many organisations are finding it challenging to get employees back into the office post-pandemic, initiatives like watching a match together can help build connections and goodwill among colleagues.
However, Barbara says it is also important to remember not everyone wants to watch these kind of events — and that’s OK.
“If you’re facilitating viewing in the organisation’s building, be aware of people who don’t like sport and may feel disadvantaged because they hadn’t been given an opportunity to follow their interest, perhaps.”
A proactive and open approach can help employers and employees navigate this potentially complicated space.
“[Employers] are much better to be upfront and flexible about it. Decide on what the best approach will be — do you need to provide special facilities or arrangements? Do you need to make more flexible work? Some employers will take a more formal approach, but you can put temporary work time arrangements in place and special facilities.”
Barbara cautions that everyone at work must behave like good sports – regardless of who wins or loses the match.