Super Bowl in the Workplace: Good for Business?

Super Bowl 2015 is less than two weeks away, and teams are currently battling it out for a coveted spot in the final matchup. Though the San Diego Chargers are out of the running, local football fanatics are evaluating players and picking favorite teams to get ready for the big game.

Over the course of the next two weeks, many employees will be talking about players, statistics and probably betting on game outcomes. But what provisions should employers take when bracing for America’s most popular televised sporting event?

According to Jim Fessenden, partner at Fisher & Phillips in San Diego, it’s important for employers to set appropriate boundaries when it comes to big events like the Super Bowl. It is equally important for employees to take precautions when making bets and taking part in activities related to the games while at work. Fisher & Phillips is one of the largest U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively on labor and employment matters.

Fessenden says:

- Technology has made it impossible to keep football games and league activities out of most workplaces. Game recaps and highlights are easily accessible, and sports shows can be streamed live from a variety of sources on computers, tablets and phones. How much energy a company wants to put into restricting this viewing and other league activities depends on its work environment. Not all workplaces need draconian regulations.

- Companies have options when it comes to employees watching game highlights and other sources to select picks for the next game. Employers can limit watching to break times and can encourage watching during break time by creating viewing options in break rooms.

- Short term decreases in productivity can come with an opportunity to increase morale and teamwork through friendly rivalries.

- Office pools for money are forms of gambling and may be illegal under state law. Office pools for the sake of competition can boost morale.