The delayed Euro 2020 football tournament will kick off on the evening of 11th June 2021.
The competition is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world. Europe’s elite footballing talent will compete over the course of the next month to be crowned the best European footballing nation.
The competition is likely to receive even more interest than normal as England, Scotland and Wales have all qualified. England and Scotland will go head-to-head on 18 June 2021.
For the next month, the subject of workplace conversations, like it or loathe it, will increasingly be football based. Sports punditry may be entirely innocent. However, sometimes light-hearted “banter” can spiral into something more. In this article we explore how employers and employees can enjoy the football and limit the risk of discrimination claims or potential disciplinary action.
Sport in the workplace
In a controversial interview conducted by the BBC in January 2020, Ann Francke, the Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute suggested an outright ban on sports talk in the workplace. Her basis for this position was that the discussion of sport in the workplace and associated banter alienates women and that these exchanges are often too ‘laddish’ for the workplace.
Unsurprisingly, the interview was met with a mixed response. The comments were made from the perspective of trying to make the workplace more inclusive. Whilst the sentiment is to be applauded, her approach will be considered by many as flawed.
Sport and its associated conversations are more often seen as an opportunity for cohesion and unity. The beautiful game has a history of bringing people together in even the most difficult circumstances. For example, during the ‘Christmas truce’ in 1914 hostilities were suspended between Germany and the UK and no-man’s land was transformed into a makeshift football pitch.
The approach of banning sport from the office, for this reason, doesn’t acknowledge the achievements and popularity of sports women and female teams.
At the Paris 1900 Olympic Games, female athletes competed in only 5 events and represented 2.2% of competitors. Women now constitute 48.8% of competitors. Women have become leaders and inspire through their contribution to sport. Dame Kelly Holmes, the Williams sisters, Katie Taylor, Katie Ledecky, Alex Scott and Maria Sharapova to name a few have pushed the boundaries of their respective sports.
Off the field there is also long overdue change. The new Chairwoman of the English Football Association Debbie Hewitt, who will take up the office in January 2022, will be the first female chair in the English Football Association in its 157-year history.
Discrimination
Unfortunately, discrimination is not uncommon in football. Top players continue to receive abuse, predominantly online, based on their race. This has led to players and officials “taking a knee” in a united stance against racism and all forms of discrimination.
The importance of tolerance has been reiterated again this week by Gareth Southgate, the England manager, who in an open letter to fans on 8 June 2021 stated that “It is the [players] duty to interact with the public on matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice, while using the power of their voices to help put debates on the table, raise awareness and educate.”
As discussions take place over the coming weeks, it is important for organisations and their employees to be mindful of discrimination issues, and more generally, inappropriate behaviour. This applies everywhere, including in Jersey which benefits from a diverse population. In 2004 there were 14 arrests after riot police had to disperse crowds following Portuguese football being targeted and attacked following their team’s win.
The Discrimination (Jersey) Law 2013 prohibits (amongst other things) discrimination on the grounds of sex or race. It is important to note race is widely defined and includes discrimination based on colour, nationality, national origins, and ethnic origins.
Liability for discrimination under the 2013 Law is an issue not only for employers, but also for employees who can face personal liability for discriminatory actions. During the competition employers and employees need to remember to consider others, inclusively, and avoid making comments which might make people feel excluded based on their sex or race. For example, if a group of male colleagues were standing together discussing football and a female colleague tried to join in, and one of the men said “this is about the match, you wouldn’t get it” there are clearly sexist overtones.
Importantly the intent of the offensive comment is irrelevant. The all-important test is how the victim was made to feel. Also, a solitary incident can be enough to constitute discrimination under the 2013 Law. This means there is no freekick for an alleged perpetrator to test the water with a potentially discriminatory line of “banter”.
Employers should remind staff that harassment linked to the Euro 2020, for example hostile or racist remarks about a particular country, will not be tolerated and could potentially result in disciplinary action.
If employers offer any special arrangement for home nation fans e.g., reduced hours to watch the game, the same arrangements should be offered to fans from other countries.
Notwithstanding the above potential issues, the competition represents an opportunity for employers to increase employee engagement and morale.
An easy win for morale
Following the COVID-19 pandemic mental health is high on the workplace agenda. Organisations can use EURO 2020 as an easy morale boost. For example: –
- matches could be screened in the office, in spare meeting rooms.
- increase flexibility around working hours to allow staff to watch matches.
- where feasible, more flexibility around holiday requests e.g. half days to watch the game.
- employees could be allowed to view games together (don’t forget to invite home workers!); and
- temporary relaxation of office dress code e.g. football shirts to be worn.
Enjoy the football!
Written by Chris Hendry, Scottish Solicitor in Viberts Corporate and Employment Team and April Hargreaves, Legal Assistant in Viberts Corporate and Employment Team.
