In an in-depth investigation by The Times, it was revealed that England's first match of the upcoming World Cup against Iran will coincide with the midday kick-off in the UK, a time that has given many working people the idea of "shooting the breeze". As many as 66% of people work from home, while those who have to go out to work, although they can not watch the game at home, but have chosen to "live" in the office.
Road to Victory, the UK's largest fan organization, surveyed 2,000 fans and found that 66% chose to work from home to ensure they could watch the game. For the 33% who couldn't work from home, a significant number of them opted for the "sick leave" strategy to watch the game.
An analysis by a consulting firm specializing in office design noted that only a few individuals who were unable to work from home returned to work. The head of the company emphasized, "Wise employers will flex their working patterns during the World Cup so that employees can reach their full potential."
