56% of UK workers have lied to take the day off, despite nearly three-quarters (74%) feeling under pressure to avoid taking sick days, a recent study conducted by office suppliers Viking has revealed.
UK workers took an average of 4.1 sick days in 2019, but they were only genuinely sick for 2.5 of them. Employees lying to take sick days cost UK businesses an estimated £5.6 billion last year.
Viking’s study involved surveying 2,000 office workers on their attitude towards paid sick days, with the Office for National Statistics stating that sickness absences had fallen to an all-time low in 2017.
The research also revealed that the pressure and dishonesty surrounding sick days is more common in younger generations. 86% of 25-34-year olds said they feel under pressure to avoid taking sick days, compared to just 44% of over 65s, yet 71% of the younger generation admitted to lying to get the day off.
When questioned why they feel they shouldn’t take sick days, 33% said they’re stressed about their workload, 25% feel anxious calling in sick, and 24% said they feel under pressure from their manager.
Younger generations are also stricter when it comes to what illnesses they believe constitutes a day off:
(% who believe it warrants a day off)
| Illness/ Sickness | 25-34-year olds | Over 65s |
| Fever | 39% | 63% |
| Food poisoning | 52% | 78% |
| Needing to go to hospital | 50% | 77% |
| Common cold | 21% | 16% |
| Poor mental health | 29% | 40% |
60% believe a fever doesn’t warrant a day off and 71% say poor mental health isn’t enough for a sick day, but 25-34-year olds were found to be more likely to use sick days for the likes of hangovers, day trips and seeing friends.
14% have found an excuse to bunk off work and catch up on a TV series, 13% have planned a trip out with friends, and a further 13% lied because they just didn’t feel like going to work that day.
With lying becoming more common amongst younger generations, Viking’s study looked into some of the strangest excuses used to secure a day off:
- “I was bitten by a pigeon”
- “I have jet lag from a flight back from Malaga”
- “My dog has a headache”
- “My sister got lost in a cornfield in a corn coloured jacket”
Bob Huibers, Marketing Executive at Viking, commented on the research:
“As younger generation joins the workforce, our study is showing a change in mentality towards sick days. They feel under more pressure than ever to avoid taking sick days, which could explain why sickness absences in the UK have fallen so much in recent years.
“Businesses and their HR teams should work to clearly outline employees’ rights when it comes to taking sick days, reducing the pressure they feel to force themselves into work. Employees who work when they’re sick are likely to be less productive and cause illnesses to spread. They should be given time to properly recover before returning to work.”
