A week into Euro 2012, the games are coming thick and fast in the continent’s premier international football tournament.
England’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the tournament are still well alive, and as usual, the public is getting fully behind the national team.
But with many of the group games kicking off at 17:00 BST – still during many people’s working day – employees are at risk of missing much of the action.
This is leading many to switch on the office TV set in the late afternoon, to watch the action live on BBC or ITV.
Research conducted by Asda found that up to a third of British workers are, rather unconventionally, tuning in to the football from their office desks.
Many are staying behind at work at least one night this week to watch or listen to Euro 2012 matches, the supermarket giant reported.
Asda suggested that three-quarters of workplaces have brought in televisions on-site to prevent a mass exodus in time for kick-off.
Another four out of ten of those employees polled said they are choosing to head straight to the pub to watch the matches.
And the remainder of football fans said they are going home to catch the second half or tuning in to night-time highlights shows.
“The rush hour chase for a seat is likely to be in the office,” said Asda TV expert Michael Arnott.
“We’ve seen brisk trade in affordable TVs this week and anecdotally we’re hearing that many of these TVs are headed for offices.”
Mr Arnott added that Euro 2012 offers “a great opportunity” to bond with workmates around the TV.
