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The Monday after the Super Bowl - commonly known as “Super Sick Monday” - is more than just a slow day at the office, it’s an economic drain on businesses across the US as millions of employees recover from game-day celebrations according to research.
Workplace productivity is expected to take a significant hit, with losses projected to approach $3 billion, according to new analysis.
This Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX (59) at the New Orleans Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, sees the Chiefs vying to become the first team to win three in a row.
The financial impact stems from employees coming to work hungover, sluggish, or even calling in sick the morning after the nation’s biggest sporting event. Researchers estimate that businesses could collectively lose more than 107 million working hours as a result.
A study conducted by NetVoucherCodes examined the effects of alcohol consumption on workplace efficiency. The findings indicate that an employee experiencing a hangover may be 24.9% less productive, a figure supported by research from the National Library of Medicine.
With the average American worker earning $222 per day, it’s a level of impairment that equates to $55.28 in lost productivity per hungover employee.
The study adjusted viewership figures from the 2024 Super Bowl, which attracted 210 million viewers, according to Reuters. Accounting for factors such as employment status and drinking habits, the research estimates that more than 54 million working adults could be hungover at work the following day.
When multiplied by the per-worker productivity loss, the estimated total cost to businesses reaches nearly $3 billion.
Surge in sick leave requests
Beyond reduced efficiency, absenteeism is another major consequence of post-Super Bowl fatigue. Data from payroll software company Paycom shows that the Monday following the game ranks among the most common day for employees to call in sick.
In 2024, sick day requests on Super Bowl Monday surged by 63% compared to an average workday. February typically sees higher-than-average sick leave requests, but the post-Super Bowl spike was still 51% above the monthly norm. Notably, 91% of these requests were approved, making it one of the most widely accepted sick days of the year.
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Workplace risks
While missing a day of work due to a hangover may seem relatively harmless, experts warn that it can have serious consequences. In roles involving heavy machinery or driving, impaired judgment and slower reflexes could pose safety risks. Employees reporting to work with alcohol still in their system may even find themselves in violation of company policies or legal regulations.
Rebecca Bebbington, a finance expert at NetVoucherCodes, urged employees to be mindful of their drinking habits on Super Bowl Sunday: “A hangover can impair your performance, making it harder to concentrate, solve problems, or make sound decisions. If alcohol is still in your system, you might even be in breach of workplace policies or legal regulations, putting your job at risk."
For businesses, the widespread impact of post-Super Bowl fatigue raises questions about how to mitigate productivity losses. Some employers have experimented with flexible scheduling, remote work options, or even designating Super Bowl Monday as a company holiday.
As the game continues to be a cultural must-see, its after effects in the workplace remain an unavoidable reality for employers across the country.
