Revealed: Sick days cost UK businesses 5.6 BILLION per year

• February sees the highest number of workers call in sick
• Over half of Brits fake sickness to enjoy a day off work
• Employers reveal the worst excuses for calling in sick 

Over half of Brits (56%) revealed they have ‘pulled a sickie’, just to enjoy a relaxing day off work.

Research shows that businesses pay 5.6 billion per year for sick days, with absence rates hitting 7.8 days in the UK last year on average.

As 350,000 employees are expected to call in sick in February – the highest month of the year – Furniture At Work has revealed the ten major UK cities where employers are paying the most on absences, with London, Reading and Edinburgh paying the highest in sick pay.

Businesses across the UK have revealed the six worst sick day excuses they have heard: 

1. My only pair of work trousers are in the wash

2. The dog chewed my work shoes

3. I was out last night and haven’t had any sleep

4. My friend is on holiday, so I can’t get a lift to work

5. My wife earns more money than me, so I have to look after the kids

6. I’m trying for a baby