We are now in 'sicknote season' in the UK - defined as such because it is the longest stretch of work without a Bank Holiday. As such companies are being urged to recognise this fact, and be generous in allowing their workers more time off in the run up to Christmas. Of course companies could just stick to their holiday allowances, and they would be legally entitled to do so. But the fact is, the majority of the workforce will take some false time off during this time, so wouldn't it be better for morale to allow them a Christmas shopping day or a 'winter duvet day' - it could even be part of a retention strategy? This way it would be under control (to a certain extent), and would enable staff resource planning as opposed to getting the 'sickie' call early one morning causing a potentially damaging staff shortage.
Fish4Jobs have just completed a survey of workers, and 80% of the respondents admitted to feigning illness to take time off work leading up to Christmas. The top responses for missing work were:
- Taking a sickie because of a hangover, and claiming it is a migraine
- Taking a sickie to attend a job interview
- Lying about the death of a relative to avoid work
- Contracting a foreign disease on returning from holiday
- Claiming a favoured family pet has died
- Citing a DIY disaster, needed to have time off to repair or visit the hospital
But beware....38% of the respondents were caught out by a colleague!!
Hi I am Andy Headworth, and I am the author of this blog. In my 'day job' I advise, consult and train recruitment companies and corporates in integrating social recruiting into their recruitment strategy. If you want to know more (and see the 'real me'), just click on the About tab at the top of the blog.
