Are you reading this on your laptop on a Monday morning from the comfort of your duvet? If so, you’ve either genuinely got the flu or you’ve left a coughing, spluttering message for the boss and are pulling a “sickie”.
Survey results have showed that UK staff took 21 million “sickies” last year at a cost of £1.6bn. The survey, conducted by the CBI and insurer AXA, found that seven out of 10 employers believed staff liked to “extend” their weekend while 39% said possible fake illness claims coincided with events such as major sporting tournaments. The festive period is another popular time while hot summers also see a rise in absenteeism; Aaron Ross, MD of FirstCare, comments, “Good weather is definitely the enemy of businesses. When the sun is shining, we see a rise in people pulling a sickie.”
Just over one in 10 “sickies” claim they’ve been ill all night, while other common excuses include food poisoning, headaches and toothaches. Women's problems are used by 15% of female staff (hoping their managers will be too embarrassed to ask any more details). Excuses as bizarre as getting a foot stuck in the toilet, having keys buried by the dog and being abducted by aliens have also been used by those desperate to avoid work.
The first Monday in February is now coined as “National Sickie Day”, the date when more workers phone or text their boss with a fake illness than on any day of the year. Professor Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at the University of Lancaster explains, “Early February is a very popular time: the first bank holiday still seems a long way off, the days are gloomy and many people are still feeling the post-Christmas blues.”
But if it’s hard enough to go back to work after two days, then what about after two weeks? More than a quarter of workers admit they’ve taken an unscheduled day off work to get over their holiday. Research by Travelsupermarket.com found a fake illness, such as food poisoning, flu or sunstroke, was the preferred excuse, while one in eight reported a missed or delayed flight. Kayte Williams, holiday manager at Travelsupermarket.com, commented, “For many people, their holiday is so hotly anticipated that when it's over, it is a massive anti-climax. For others, a jam-packed break means they’re more exhausted on their return than when they left.”
The Church of England has recently published prayers to help banish those Monday morning blues and raise the spirits of people returning to work after holidays. One begins, “I failed to get a seat - again, too many people on the train.” “It's a spiritual uplift," remarks a Church spokesperson.
Yet, another survey claims Monday morning blues are nothing but a myth. Almost two-thirds of UK workers actually feel positive about the start of the working week. The smaller the company, the happier the worker, with workers in organisations with 500 to 1,000 staffers being twice as likely to get the Monday blues as those with less than 100 people.
What’s to be done? In an attempt to reduce “unplanned absence”, Tesco went so far as to trial a scheme before the Euro 2004 soccer championships in Portugal, in which employees weren’t paid for the first three days taken off ill. Employers may want to look to Europe for advice. One-quarter of European employers now incentivises staff to take fewer sick days, such as through vouchers and bonuses.
Next time you decide to take a “home holiday”, whether as a result of an office party, heatwave or the death of Great Cousin Annie, twice-removed, then be careful: taking a "sickie" is not without its consequences. People have been caught out, whether spotted enjoying a long lunch in a restaurant or seen on TV on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
