WITH the Rugby World Cup expected to lead to an increase in employees taking time off work, bosses are being warned to tread carefully.

The event, which starts on Friday, is predicted to cause an increase in workers taking leave - authorised and unauthorised - from the workplace to watch the matches, several of which are played during the afternoon.

Employment law expert Joanne Applegarth, of Newcastle law firm Watson Burton, urged employers to talk with workers over time off and warned them not to fall foul of the Human Rights Act.

"It goes without saying that employers may be at risk of diminishing productivity within the workplace and possibly increased absenteeism," she said.

"As all employers and employees will be aware, there is no statutory right to take time off to watch rugby.

"However, it is essential that employers have a fair system of dealing with requests for annual leave.

"If an employee is suspected of taking a 'sickie' as opposed to being genuinely sick, employers will have to ensure that the relevant disciplinary procedure is followed.

"It may also be wise for employers to remind employees before the World Cup starts that unauthorised absence will be dealt with under formal disciplinary procedures."

Ms Applegarth warned that the topic of alcohol must also be handled with care.

She said: "One clear concern from employees escaping the office at lunch times to catch a glimpse of the action is that this may involve alcohol.

"The result is that employees could be unfit to work later that day or may return in the morning with a noticeable hangover.

"Many employers will have in place alcohol and drugs policies.

"Very few, however, will have an express term in their contracts of employment forbidding alcohol consumption during working hours and such situations should be dealt with very carefully.

"Employers should tread carefully to avoid falling foul of robust employment legislation and to avoid claims for unfair dismissal or even breaches of the Human Rights Act.

"Hopefully, if employers deal with such matters with caution, then there will be fewer fouls within the workplace."