So far we've had psychological trauma insurance for this year's World Cup -- now comes this tale: a Dutch company is offering insurance to employers to protect them from workers taking sick days:
Tens of thousands of Dutch workers phoned in ill during the European Championships in Portugal in 2004, with sickness levels rising 20 percent on days when the Dutch national side played.
"We are expecting a lot of claims," said Dennis Massaar of insurer SEZ.
Under Dutch law, companies must pay employees who are too ill to report to work. They can insure themselves against this, but most policies apply only to absences longer than two weeks.
Four years ago the World Cup was in Asia, and the time zone difference then, at least here in North America, made for early-morning kickoffs. This time around, it'll hit this continent right in the middle of the work day, kickoffs from midmorning to midafternoon. It's just a hunch, but I have a feeling that this might happen on this side of the pond -- at least in Holland, some of the games will be played in prime time.
So the question is: how many people here will be taking time off in June and early July, and how will you take it -- as sick time, or as holidays? I'd love to hear from you.
Related: 16,000 surprise vacancies at official World Cup hotels.
They won't make the World Cup: Mark Vidmar, Salomon Kalou, Christian Vieri and Aimo Diana.
How to get free tickets? Well, first you get elected. . .
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