National Sickie Day

Want to pull a sickie? Then today is the day for it. Today, dubbed National Sickie Day, is when more workers call in sick than any other day of the year according to studies in recent years.

The main reasons for people not turning up for work are likely to be increasing workload due to the lower employment levels thanks to the recession, combined with post Christmas blues and the recent miserable weather.

Unwilling to sacrifice a paid holiday day so soon in the year, workers are apparently resorting to less ‘official’ options. Psychologists say that post-Christmas blues, burn-out and the seemingly distant summer all contribute to people needing to take a "home holiday".

Methods

Almost one in five considers it "appropriate" to tell the boss by text message while those who choose to face their managers employ their acting skills - with 28 per cent pretending to cough and splutter in the office before their sick day and 55 per cent carrying on with the act after their return.

Bosses in the north apparently have the most reason to fear absenteeism in the dreary winter months. Liverpool is top of the poll. Workers there admit taking up to 13 unofficial days off a year, compared with three days in London.

Are you off sick today? Is it genuine or are you faking?

Tell us below, we promise not to tell your boss.