Murray mania causes 120 m pounds worth of work loss in UK
4 Jul 2009, 1541 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Edinburgh (Scotland), July 4 With around eight million viewers watching the Wimbledon semi-final between British tennis hope Andy Murray and American Andy Roddick, experts have estimated that 120 million pounds worth of man hours were lost at work.

Analysts believe that around half of the eight million skipped work to watch the historic semi-final, reports The Scotsman.

Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of the Centre for Economics and Business Research, was quoted as saying: "It would probably be reasonable to assume a loss of about one and a half hour's productivity on average.

"Hourly GDP in the UK is 800 million pounds so this would imply a loss of productivity of 120 million pounds.

McWilliams said the loss of productivity could be outweighed by an unexpected Friday-afternoon boost for licensed traders from thirsty fans.

Murray mania has also been blamed for a huge increase in the number of workers taking "sickies" over the last week.

Absence management firm First Care said absences in the private sector had been 17 per cent higher than would be expected this year, while the number of NHS employees off was 30 per cent higher than normal.

Key factors, included swine flu and other flu-related illnesses, people suffering ill health in the hot weather and the drama of Murray's progress through Wimbledon. (ANI)

Related Latest

Cat endures 3,000-mile sea journey from Egypt to UK in shipping container! Greenland ice loss responsible for a sixth of sea-level rise Beach ball that denied Liverpool victory donated to UK football museum Brit tennis star Murray hits out at critics ahead of London showdown China wants a Chinese version of Tibetan Buddhism, says Dalai Lama 3 injured in fire at Jodhpur's handloom showroom Winning more important to Murray than money Panesar blames measly 7,500 pounds for England career decline Jenson Button 'offers 6m pounds for Robbie Williams' mansion' 8 pounds jeans 'better made' and durable than 120 pounds jeans

Related Latest

As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi People worship Highway Goddess for safe journey in Chennai Lucknow Zoo authorities treating tiger for cancer Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking PAC supports idea of making Pak Army's financial records public Pak heading towards 'demographic disaster', warn experts

• Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh
• As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh
• No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh
• Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must
• Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights