Brazil’s World Cup game: can I take time off? Wear the shirt? See these and other questions

Brazil debuts in the World Cup in Qatar at 4 pm (Brasília time) this Thursday (24) against Serbia. The day is not a public holiday and work dismissal depends on the policy of each company.

It is common, however, for employers to enter into an agreement with employees for everyone to attend the selection process. Taking a break during game time, ending work earlier or starting work later are some of the arrangements adopted by companies.

In all these cases, you need to pay attention to the rules of the workplace to avoid misunderstandings.

Is game day a holiday?

Not. Confusion is common because, in 2014, some cities, such as São Paulo, approved a holiday at the opening of the World Cup, which was hosted by Brazil.

This year, some cities decreed an optional point, which releases only municipal servants from work. Unlike the holiday, the optional point is an administrative act that exempts public servants from work at municipal, state and federal levels.

In addition, an ordinance of the Ministry of Economy determined a special work schedule for federal employees on days when there is a game in Brazil. It looked like this:

• Games at 12 pm: there will be no office.
• Games at 1pm: Office hours will close at 11:00 am
• Games at 4pm: office will close at 2 pm

In the case of this group, hours not worked must be compensated between December 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. It is possible to work up to two extra hours per day to make up the time due.

Is the employer obliged to dismiss employees at the time of the game?

No, this issue must be agreed with the company. “There is nothing in the law that determines time off or holiday or optional point”, says Marcel Zangiácomo, specialist in labor law.

Leaving the job at the time of the game can cause dismissal for just cause depending on the policy of each company, according to the lawyer. To refund these hours, it is possible to use the bank of hours or make a future compensation.

Will the banks be open during game time?

Banks will have special opening hours. When the games in Brazil start at 4 pm, as is the case on Thursday, the agencies will be open from 9 am to 2 pm, according to Brasilia time.

For games at 12:00:

• das 9am to 11am and das 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, in the states with Brasilia time
• das 8am to 10am and das 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, in the states with a difference of one hour in relation to Brasilia
• das 7am to 9am and das 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, in the states with a difference of two hours in relation to Brasilia
• das 8am to 12pm, at branches on the island of Fernando de Noronha (PE)

For games at 1pm

• das 8:30 am to 11:30 am, in the states with Brasilia time
• das 7:30 am to 10:30 am, in the states with a difference of one hour in relation to Brasilia
• das 7 am to 9:30 am, in the states with a difference of two hours in relation to Brasilia

for games at 4 pm

• das 9am to 2pm🇧🇷 in the states with Brasilia time
• das 8am to 1pm🇧🇷 in the states with a difference of one hour in relation to Brasilia
• das 7am to 12pm🇧🇷 in the states with a difference of two hours in relation to Brasilia

Can I wear the Brazil shirt at work?

This depends on the company’s culture, according to Zangiácomo. The ideal, according to the lawyer, is to wear the shirt only at the time of the game, depending on the company’s degree of formality or the uniform requirement.

“It’s a matter of common sense. If it’s a formal environment, it’s best to work in standard clothing,” he says.