Firms should hire televisions and lay on coffee and croissants for workers to watch World Cup soccer matches in the office this summer, a recruitment firm suggests.

Staff should also be given the chance to start work later if they want to stay at home to follow the fortunes of England and the Republic of Ireland, it was urged.

"Trying to ignore the World Cup is not going to work, yet we are finding that many companies are putting off making a decision," said Richard White, of Resource Management.

"The smart firms will incorporate the World Cup into their business and human resource plans and will suffer less as a result.

"Companies can avoid mass absenteeism if they face facts and take steps to accommodate the football fans among their staff."

Meanwhile, an employment lawyer said firms should start planning now to cope with workers taking a "sickie" during the Cup.

Managing unauthorised absences on match days will be a "major issue" for companies, said Rachel Jones, of law firm DLA.

Bosses will have to decide how to cope with "multiple requests" for annual leave because of the possible impact on productivity - and safety.

"This could leave a workplace sparsely populated, which is a potential health and safety risk for the remaining staff."

Ms Jones also advised employers not to take harsh action against staff taking time off . . . "care must be taken not to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut".