National Sickie Day | Why 1 in 5 workers called in sick today

The first Monday in February is National Sickie Day – said to be the day of the year during which more workers call in sick than any other – and research from leading global insurance provider MetLife shows that one in five workers will call in sick on 7th February, leaving their colleagues scrambling to cover for them.

However, this is no different from any other Monday – as shockingly, the research found that one in five workers call in sick on Mondays.

MetLife’s research looked at different market sectors and found that those working in advertising/media were the guiltiest of “pulling sickies”, with 67% of those surveyed admitting to calling in sick even when well. They were followed by electricians (65%), bank workers (61%), taxi/lorry drivers (56%) and charity workers (55%).

At the other end of the scale, only 27% of social workers admitted to “pulling a sickie”.