World Cup 2018 Office dos and donts

World Cup 2018 Office dos and donts by Michael Cheary Noticed a little bit more patriotism around your office lately?Many an office can get a little overexcited around the World Cup. But how can you ensure you don’t lose your cool, not to mention actually keep your productivity up, when your nation actually make it into the knockouts?To help you avoid any potential red cards, here’s our list of World Cup workplace dos and don’ts:PatriotismDO â€" Be patrioticNational pride is as integral a part of the international football experience as cautious optimism and an acute fear of penalty shootouts. So change your desktop background image, get involved in the office sweepstake and embrace your heritage accordingly.DON’T â€" Come to work in the full kitWhen it comes to office attire, shorts and football socks are never the answer. You can wear your national pride on your sleeve. Just make sure that sleeve is not part of the official match replica kit (see also: face paint).MusicDO â€" Make a World Cup playlist Not only will this get you in the mood for the big games, it can also be inspirational (‘You’ve got to hold and give but do it at the right time. You can be slow or fast but you must get to the line’, etc.) Because nothing makes a more productive employee than the sound of John Barnes rapping.DON’T â€" Keep telling people ‘it’s coming home’So, you still see it. That tackle by Moore. When Lineker scored. The truth is, we all want to see it. But for the sake of everyone’s sanity, please stop telling co-workers ‘this could be our year’. It will only make things more painful in the long run. Just ask Gareth Southgate/David Batty/Phil Neville/insert any other name here.SwapsiesDO â€" Collect Panini stickersThis can be a point of contention for many. Well, many of those above the age of eight. However, in our opinion, there is nothing wrong with grown men and women swapping stickers. And anyone who says any differently is just jealous (and/or give up far too easily).DO N’T â€" Stick them in during your meetingCollecting may be OK. Getting your book out during normal working hours definitely is not no matter how badly you need Trent Alexander-Arnold. Avoid the wrath of your anti-sticker supervisors, and save all swapsies for after six o’clock.Team bondingDO â€" Watch the game after work with your co-workersYou can’t put a price on office morale. OK, you probably can. A TV, a few drinks and possibly a packet of peanuts, and your team will be gelling better than that time you spent a weekend away work-shopping.DON’T â€" Bring a ball into the officeTechnology and round things which travel at vast speeds do not mix. Everyone in the office has heard about the time you had trials with QPR, and obviously have no reason to doubt your ability. However, all it takes is one poor piece of control and HR will be on the phone quicker than you can say Ilkay Gündogan.Cautious optimismDO â€" Be optimistic about the sweepstakeThere are 32 teams in the Worl d Cup. One of them has to win, right? Just imagine the look on Tim from Accounts’ face when that someone turns out to be you. OK, so Panama may be a 300-1 shot, but hey. At least you didn’t get England…DON’T â€" Call in sick when your team goes outNot. Even. A. Little. Bit. Discreet.Other things to do: Have a diary of all the fixtures, find local venues screening the games, prioritise your workload, stay on good terms with colleagues from rival nationsOther things not to do:  Constantly use the word banter, make too many football puns*, challenge your boss to a game of five-a-side, start an office Mexican wave, sulk, mention VAR* reed.co.uk accept that this is often easier said than done. For more information, please consult the Kompany handbook*.Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Subm it you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features