•    Boredom and depression at work the most common cause
•    A third of employees say they are more likely to take time off under false pretences if colleagues do so
•    Younger workers (18-34) more prone

One in three UK workers admit to lying to take time off work, mainly because they’re disillusioned with their jobs, according to research commissioned by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on attitudes to absence.

While good weather, hangovers, and romance are motivations for 11%, 18% and 5 % of "skivers" respectively, the majority (61%) claim they are simply bored and depressed with work.
Neil Roden, HR consulting partner at PwC, said: "Absenteeism costs British Business around £32bn a year, but our findings suggest a large chunk of this loss is preventable. If people are bored and depressed with their jobs, employers need to think creatively how they can get people back in gear. Rather than a sign of laziness, unwarranted leave can mean people are under-used."

For 21% of workers, family responsibilities are the real reason behind "sick" days, perhaps highlighting the difficulties people face achieving a work-life balance.

"Introducing or enhancing flexible working arrangements can make a difference. Ensuring people feel they’re not taken for granted is also important. Some 15% of those who provided false excuses felt they deserved the time."

Prevention may be easier than cure given the lengths people go to cover their tracks. Illness is the favoured excuse for 83% of "skivers", with four out of ten even faking symptoms around the office in preparation for a day off. Some 16% sniff at work, another 12% pretend to lose their voice, while 5% have even used props such as bandages, crutches and make-up. The illness of choice though, is one which is difficult to prove: half of all exuses involve gastro related problems.

Employers need to take heed because taking a day off for a false reason seems to be contagious. A third of workers think they’d be more likely to take unwarranted leave if they see their colleagues getting away with it. The effects can also be long lasting, with two thirds of "skivers" saying their sick days are more credible if they pretend to be ill for more than one day.

"Employers need to use both carrot and stick. If it’s very easy to call in sick, or you don’t even need to call at all, then people are more likely to abuse the system. But if there’s more of a process to follow, people are more likely to think twice about taking time off.

"With UK absenteeism levels double those recorded in the US, it is vital British employers get to grips with the problem to ensure the UK remains competitive." 



Other findings

Some 15% of those people "pulling sickies" said they’d been working hard and deserved the time

On average, survey respondents believe you can take 5.17 days absence under false pretences before your employer becomes suspicious

While most (79%) workers phone in sick themselves, 9% get someone else to do so; 5% text; 3% email and 3% leave a message before anyone is in the office


Far-fetched and unusual excuses

The most far-fetched excuses used by survey respondents include:

    •    I fell out of the loft
    •    My rabbit ran away and there were foxes in the area
    •    I was beaten up by a bouncer
    •    I was unable to open a hand from a clamped fist

Pets feature in a large proportion of excuses, with dog related problems most common, followed by those involving budgies, and hamsters next.