Excuse-Free Zone: Brazil Adjusts Work Hours for Women's World Cup

 

Civil servants in Brazil need not worry about being late for work during the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as the government has announced a change to office hours to accommodate their interest in the tournament.

Since Brazil's group stage matches will be broadcast during the early morning hours in their home country, Minister of Management Esther Dweck has permitted civil servants to report for duty up to two hours after the final whistle of the games.

The official ordinance states, "On days when the games are held at 7:30 am, the working hours will start at 11 a.m. Brasilia time. On days when the games are held at 8:00 a.m., the working hours will start at 12:00 p.m. Brasilia time."

Although Brazil boasts a remarkable record of eight Copa America Femenina titles, their best performance in the Women's World Cup came in 2007, reaching the final but losing to Germany.

In the current tournament, Brazil is placed in Group F and will kick off their campaign against Panama in Adelaide on Monday, followed by matches against France in Brisbane and Jamaica in Melbourne.