Blue Jays Fever: Should the boss let you watch the games at work?
With the Blue Jays playing day games to start the playoffs, what's an employer or worker to do?
For die-hard fans and bandwagon jumpers alike, the scheduling of the Toronto Blue Jays first playoff games in 22 years is a big problem for those with a day job.
In B.C., the first pitch of the Jays game one of the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers will be thrown out right around lunch time — 12:30 p.m. PT. Game two Friday has a start time that's even more difficult for the B.C-based Jays fan — 9:30 a.m.
Morning and early afternoon games mean some workers will be tempted to play hookey, turning their Blue Jays fever into — cough, cough — playoff faux-flu, phoning in sick to be able to stay home and watch the game.
But University of Toronto professor Alan Saks says enlightened bosses and managers would be smart to use the day games as an exercise in workplace team building, by allowing employees to watch while on the job.
"It's not easy for organizations to come up with initiatives and programs that are going to get employees excited, full of energy and bring positive emotions into the work place," he told CBC.
Saks, who teaches organizational behaviour and H.R. management, thinks setting up a TV in the lunch room is a good strategy.
"I think this is a great opportunity for employers to embrace something that's very positive ... bring it into the workplace and let workers share it," he said. "Why not do that? You're showing that you're a caring and supportive employer who is responsive to employees."
This isn't the first time a sports event has distracted a nation. Many British Columbians remember watching Paul Henderson scoring the winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the U.S.S.R. on television set up in school gymnasiums or workplace common areas.
If the Blue Jays make it to the World Series they could play up to 19 games across three series, so Saks advises employers to consider what their strategy might be if the team advances.
"You got to have a plan, you got to think 'what are we going to do?' because the excitement will only increase," he said.
"What happens if they get to the World Series, a game six or game seven? The whole country will shut down."