Workers cite serious reasons for ‘pulling a sickie’

London — “Feeling burned out” and “needing a break” are among the reasons nearly a third of employees have or would consider lying about being sick to skip work, according to the results of a recent survey.

In the survey, conducted by employee benefits provider MetLife UK, the respondents cited multiple reasons they’d “pull a sickie,” including:

• Feeling burned out (40%)
• Needing a break from work (31%)
• To attend an appointment (23%)
• To look after a child (17%)
• To care for a relative (15%)

In a statement, Adrian Matthews, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK, says the large proportion of workers who reported being burned out should be of concern to employers, who should “deploy regular, effective and varied communication about workplace employee health and well-being benefits and other available policies.”

Matthews added: “While taking time off work should be encouraged in the workplace and is a vital part of balancing home/work-life commitments and preserving mental health, it’s important to understand if there are bigger issues at the root. Not only are there employees who are struggling due to burnout or worrying about child care, but these sick days can quickly stack up and could cost businesses significantly, with losses in both time (and) money and potential for long-term retention issues.”