The Olympics – looking after your team

The summer in London is going to be a hectic one.  As well as the Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place, London will be inundated with thousands of extra visitors during the Olympic month attending the many events at various venues around the city and beyond. 

All London businesses should have received their Transport Pack from Transport for London (TFL) detailing the changes to rail services and road closures during the games.  If you have not received yours you can apply for one at www.tfl.gov.uk   A further leaflet of travel information/road closures is being sent out to local businesses shortly. 

These changes are likely to impact on staff reaching their places of work, not least due to the sheer number of extra people using the transport services and road networks.  

Employers are considering allowing employees to work flexible hours or from home wherever possible. Furthermore, if companies have offices outside London employees could be based there temporarily and this could be a way round commuting difficulties. Working together with employees will help them and the employer to ensure work can continue effectively with minimum disruption. 

It is in all employers’ interests to face these issues head on to avoid a mass exodus of employees wanting to take their annual leave while the Games is on.  Many will want to take time off to watch events or may have volunteered to help. 

Careful planning and flexibility by employers should help keep business on track during this busy period.