英伦广角 2010-05-23 世界杯将使请假看球者人数激（在线收听）

The World Cup is fast approaching, and new research shows that more than seven million workers plan to watch every single match, all 64 of them.

The survey shows that only a tenth of workers think they will be allowed time off to watch the games which could prove a headache for businesses.

A fifth are considering not going in at all, but only one in twenty said they would use their holiday time. So to combat a potential surge of sickness, some employers have become football-friendly.

"We want to put up TV screens around the building in areas for staff when they are taking a break from work can come and watch it. We've got good flexible working arrangements for staff can start early or work late."

Employment lawyers say take a sickie at your peril.

"To be honest, during the World Cup, I'm not sure that action will be taken in quite the same way it would for other events. But certainly the employer is within their rights to discipline for sickies."

But will the threat of the sack deter die-hard football fans?

"If England got to the final, I will definitely take sickies."

"Why not? You know, it's football and comes around every four years, isn't it, you know?"

"Just get a sense of injustice if you are not allowed to watch it really."

Let's hope they are not disappointed.

Lucy MacDonald, Sky News.