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Stop, Watch And Cheer!
Zookeepers, office staff, shop workers and are among thousands of sports fans who will Stop, Watch and Cheer as they celebrate Olympic moments at work this summer.
More than 2,500 hours of live Olympic's 2012 coverage will be shown over 17 days of the Games, most of it during working hours. According to TV Licensing, many workplaces are planning ahead, allowing staff to Team GB.
"While it won't be possible for every business, if staff want to enjoy the Games, they could talk to their managers to identify key televised Olympic events when they are allowed to stop work, gather around a licensed TV or computer to watch history in the making, and cheer on great sporting achievements," said Elly Button , spokesperson for TV Licensing.
Dr David Fletcher , Director of the Sport Psychology Support Service at Loughborough University , explained why the Olympics provides an opportunity to build team spirit at work.
"We all feel more motivated when we are part of a team and research shows that raising morale can increase productivity and boost good will. We're currently psychologically preparing some of Britain's athletes for the Games, but similar motivating strategies can be used in any workplace. The Olympics is an exciting time, and watching it live together is a great chance for team building, on the track and off it."
Many sports fans and their employers across the country already have plans in place to watch this summer's "must see" events live at work.
A TV Licensing survey revealed 44 per cent of businesses agreed watching live events at work creates a better atmosphere, while YouGov research suggests the average worker will spend 18 minutes of each day watching Olympic coverage at work.
Katrina Whenham , spokesperson for Historic Royal Palaces, said planning ahead was key to building workplace morale and ensuring the work gets done.
"As an official Olympic venue, we know some of our staff really don't want to miss out on the action. While work always comes first, we don't want to be spoilsports. We want everyone at Hampton Court Palace to feel part of this historic occasion for London and have organised a number of opportunities so that we can all celebrate as a team without business suffering."
TV Licensing has produced a new online Workplace Viewing Guide, making it simple for businesses to plan, and ensure they are licensed if they need to be.
A TV Licence is legally required on work premises if anyone - either staff or customers - watches TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a computer, TV, or via the internet on a tablet or smart phone. A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at: TV Licensing for Business . If an employee is caught watching TV illegally, the business may be held liable and fined up to £1,000.
Notes to editors
Key Dates:
Olympics: Friday 27 July - Sunday 12 August - 17 days
Paralympics: Wednesday 29 August - Sunday 9 September - 12 days
If anyone on business premises watches or records programmes as they are shown on TV, they need to be covered by a valid TV Licence. This is the case irrespective of the channel being watched or the device being used. This includes the use of any TV receiving device including a TV set, computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/Blu-ray recorder.
When is a licence not needed?
You do not need a licence for business premises if the TV equipment is never used to receive or record television programme services, but is only used for closed circuit monitoring or to watch pre-recorded videos. If your business doesn't need a TV Licence, please let us know at http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk. Then we can remove your organisation from our list of unlicensed addresses. We may visit to confirm this.
1. Harris Interactive business to business research into 600 small and medium-sized businesses in the UK ( December 2011 ).
2. YouGov research for Freeview conducted between 21-12 May 2012 .
To arrange an interview with Dr David Fletcher or a TV Licensing spokesperson, or for further information please contact the TV Licensing Press Office on +44-0208-752-6606.