South Yorkshire bosses take hard line on World Cup

A survey has revealed that more than 80 per cent of firms throughout the region will ask staff to take annual leave if they want to watch a match during working hours.

Ian Steward, the local head of Close Invoice Finance, which carried out the poll, believes the current economic climate is to blame for an apparent lack of generosity among UK bosses.

"The same survey reveals that company owners and managers are seriously worried about the volatility of the markets they are in and their cash flow over the next 12 months, so it's not surprising that they are reluctant to let staff have time off," said Mr Steward.

"Cash flow in particular is crucial to a firm's survival and when staff aren't there the money still flows out and nothing is coming in!

"In the good old days, even as recently as the last European Championships, generous companies throughout Yorkshire and Humberside turned a blind eye to staff who sneaked off to watch a game.

"But that has all changed as businesses find that they have their backs against the wall and simply can't afford to let employees take any unnecessary leave."

Close Invoice Finance’s Small Business Barometer is a quarterly survey of more than 500 companies from across the UK which sheds light on how bosses are thinking about their firms.

"On a positive note local businesses are telling us that by and large they have no plans to cut staff during the next financial year," added Mr Steward. "This can be explained in part by the fact that 25 per cent of companies in the survey have taken tighter control of their finances and are managing risk better.

"Just over half of those companies surveyed throughout Yorkshire and Humberside say that their business performance this year will be at the same level as last year and, encouragingly, around 35 per cent claim it will actually improve.

"Cash is king in a recession and more and more local businesses seem to understand that commercial imperative."