The World Cup at work

According to a survey conducted by Monster.it, one of the world’s largest online recruitment websites, 33 percent of businesses in Italy did not allow workers to watch 2010 FIFA World Cup matches of the Italian national team during work hours. Almost 10 percent of workers, however, said they disobeyed their bosses and secretly followed games while at work. The survey, which questioned about 1,000 Italian employees, also revealed that 18 percent of Italian businesses allowed workers to watch national games at work, setting up TVs on the premises. Football is a very popular national sport in Italy, boasting millions of fans across the peninsula, especially during FIFA world cup competitions. Many believe it is one of the strongest manifestations of nationalism in Italy.