Easier to take sickies?

Monday was “National Sickie Day”, with the number of employees taking days off sick expected to have peaked at 350,000 on the Monday, 1 February. The first Monday of February is thought to be the worst for sickies as seasonal viruses and depression take their toll.

According to research by Employment Law Advisory Services, bosses are getting softer on employees, allowing emails and texts instead of telephone calls. More than a quarter of British companies trust workers who claim illness without speaking to them directly. This makes it easier to lie – phoning in sick requires a few acting skills for the not so ill. On the other hand, it confers trust on employees which itself may impact positively.