World Cup 2014 Work Absenteeism Fears Mount as Majority of Staff Already Hit By TV and Gaming Fatigue

British businesses are suffering from lack of productivity as a majority of workers are so tired from playing video games, watching TV, and late-night drinking that their performances are being adversely affected.

According to an AXA PPP healthcare poll of 2000 employees, nearly 60% of workers have turned up to work feeling tired on at least one occasion in the past three months while over half admit that fatigues had "adversely affected their performance."

Around 40% said they 'coasted' through the day, only finishing easy tasks while 18% said they only managed to do 'bits and pieces', when they turned up to work tired.

"Nobody wants to be a spoil sport but there's no doubting that late nights and lack of sleep will adversely affect performance," said Dr Steve Iley, AXA PPP healthcare's occupational health director.

"So, with the prospect of some late nights in store for followers of the sports event in Brazil, employers should remind their staff of their attendance policies before it all kicks off. Of course employees will struggle to give 100% when they're ill but otherwise they owe it to their employers to turn up for work in good enough shape to put in a decent shift.

Around 18% blamed watching TV for turning up to work tired, 20% cited late night socialising and drinking for being fatigued, while 7% said they were busy playing video games or browsing the internet.

However, in the run up to the World Cup, Axa PPP healthcare warns that companies will need to prepare themselves and staff for more widespread productivity issues.

"Rather than fret about the possible downsides of the upcoming tournament, employers can take positive steps to avoid them by positively engaging with it – for instance, where practicable, adopting a flexible approach to enable fans to follow key events or arranging to screen key fixtures at work," said Iley.

"And, to avoid resentment, don't forget to be fair and apply the same approach to everyone in your organisation – not just the sports fans."