With the World Cup kicking off in May, many employees will be doing their utmost to watch key games.

But changes to the wording of the Working Time Regulations (WTR) being sought by the European Commission could mean the loss of flexibility and prevent football fans working through lunchtime to get home in time for an evening match.

Ron Drake, employment partner at nationwide law firm Cobbetts, said: "Official guidance is urging employers to ensure workers can take rest breaks rather than ensuring that they do.

"But unions and the commission want the regulations changed to place greater responsibility on employers to see that the break is taken.

"Employers should keep a record of the hours employees work in order to show that they are complying with the regulations.

"Employers who have not already done so should begin to ask employees about their World Cup plans so they can be sure that they will have enough employees to cover the work schedule during the event.

"Planning for contingencies and preparing a short policy statement on what employees should and shouldn't do for the duration of the tournament will set out employer expectations."