More than quarter of a million ‘sickies’ predicted

An estimated 300,000 workers were believed to have called in sick on Monday 5th February, on what new research has found is the worst day in the year for office absenteeism in the UK.

According to Employment Law Advisory Services (ELAS), a mixture of cold weather, financial problems and post-Christmas withdrawal symptoms have made the first Monday in February the most traumatic for staff, costing the economy £2ym for just one day.

Unions dismissed the research as insulting – saying it was wrong to claim that people were taking ‘sickies’.

Union leaders said workers were particularly vulnerable to illnesses at this time of year and were better off at home if they were sick.

ELAS said many people were likely to take a ‘duvet day’ on Monday in the face of low temperatures and general malaise.

Accountancy Age