WORKERS across the county will be tuning into the World Cup at work as bosses try to stop their staff taking time off to watch the matches.

With most games being screened between 7.30am and 12.30pm on workdays, particularly England's clashes with Argentina and Nigeria, there are fears that thousands of workers will find an excuse to stay at home.

A survey by Deloitte & Touche found that 64 per cent of employees intend to watch World Cup matches which are broadcast during working hours but 77 per cent of companies lack employee policies for the event. It also found that 80 per cent of people surveyed said they intended to call in sick in order to see important games.

But firms like Sarsen Housing Association in Devizes are introducing TVs into offices so their employees can watch while they work.

Managers at the housing association, based in Devizes, feel the move will boost morale and deter absences from work.

Philip Mackie, spokesman for Sarsen, said: "We have decided to allow staff to watch World Cup matches provided they make the time up, ideally during the same day or week.''

The other condition is that employees donate £1.50 to Sarsen's chosen charity for the year, which is CLIMB (Children Living With an Inherited Metabolic Disease).

At Wavin Plastics in Chippenham staff will be putting their football knowledge to the test as part of a competition to predict the results of the games an raise money for Water Aid, while the remainder goes to the winner.

"Interest is building here, and this competition is a bit of fun to encourage participation and benefit Water Aid at the same time," said human resources director, Peter Curtis.

For England's game with Argentina on June 7, The Olympiad leisure centre in Chippenham is putting up a 12ft screen and tiered seating in its main hall.

Westlea Housing Association, in Methuen Park, Chippenham has worked out a flexible working system for staff keen to watch England's bid for glory.

Maria Moxham, Westlea's Corporate Services Manager said special arrangements had been worked out for England vs Argentina, kicking off at 12.30pm on Friday June 7, and England's clash with Nigeria, kick-off 7.30pm on Wednesday June 12.

On June 7 lunch will be extended to between 12 to 2.30pm and televisions will be in the staff room and the boardroom. On June 12, staff can turn up for work as late as 10.30am, rather than the usual 9.30am limit.

But not all firms are being so accommodating. Lynn Green, personnel officer at Westinghouse in Chippenham, said no special arrangements have been made for staff.

"Anyone wishing to watch the World Cup has been encouraged to take time off,'' she said.

Staff at Dyson on Tetbury Hill in Malmesbury will also not be able to watch the world cup in the factory.

The company had considered bringing televisions into the work place, but decided against the idea.

"We looked at all sorts of things such as putting a big screen in the canteen," said a spokesman.

"But in the end we decided it would be unfair because different departments and different break times, mean not everybody would be able to watch. She added that managers had been given extra leeway to allow time off to England fans who want to use their holiday to watch the games.

A spokesman for North Wiltshire District Council said it operates a flexible working pattern anyway, so staff at its Monkton Park offices in Chippenham will be able to work the matches into their daily schedule.

Stefan Barbaruk, the manager of Wessex Chamber of Commerce, said companies should have a strategy drawn up to ensure offices are not short-staffed during the World Cup, and staff get the time off they want.

"I think it would be foolhardy for any company not to have a strategy in place," he said. "I would suggest that companies do prepare for it and have some guidelines for their staff."

dvaller@newswilts.co.uk