Employers braced for 'National Sickie Day'

The winter blues are being blamed for the high number of sick days used today, experts said. Credit: PA

More workers in the Midlands will call in sick today than at any other time of year, according to research.

The 1st of February (or the first Monday of this month) is statistically the day people are most likely to call into work sick.

Although workers in the West Midlands seem to have stronger stomachs than most. According to an ITV poll from 2014, people from the region were least likely to call into work sick, while those in London and the North West were most likely to.

Out of the 1000 people quizzed, almost one fifth (16%) have taken five more sick days annually, with a further 5% taking 12 days off.

Added up with holiday entitlement and an unwell worker could end up taking a full two months off every year.

Popular reasons for calling in sick:

  • Having a cold, flu or food poisoning were the excuses workers told their bosses the most.

  • A further 6% told their employer there had been a family bereavement.

  • More than half, 53%, said they did not feel guilty for pulling a sickie.

  • Being tired was the most popular reason for pulling a sickie (46%) but over 40% said it was because they didn't feel like it.

  • Half of those surveyed put on a 'fake' sick voice to call their boss.

  • London and the North West recorded the most sick days while Wales and West Midlands were the areas with the least sick days.