World Cup to kick-off sickie epidemic

British businesses are set to lose almost 100,000,000 for every day England is in the World Cup, according to figures released by the UKís provider of absence management.

Active Health Partners has estimated, through using workplace absenteeism data captured during previous key sporting events, that for every game England plays in the first round of the World Cup, employee absence will increase by 20 per cent. This figure can realistically be expected to increase to as much as 40 per cent if England progresses through the rounds, resulting in a significant loss to UK industry.

Active Health Partners has identified top tips for employers to spot when an employee is trying to pull a sickie:

Describing every symptom they can possibly think of, from a fever, diarrhoea and sore stomach, to the extremes of a broken leg.

A friend calling on a workerís behalf because they are too ill to talk or reach the phone but they will be back in bright and early the next day.

Exaggerating and over dramatising sickness, describing symptoms that indicate impossible or life-threatening illnesses.

Using a figure of authority to hide behind can indicate a false sick day, especially when the advice doesnít match the illness being described.

Some employees claim to have very serious conditions, but when advised to go to A&E or an emergency GP, they increasing become less ill as the conversation continues.

A problem with a current prescription is a reoccurring reason used by employees wanting a day off, however when asked, they cannot name the medication.

Workers falsely believe if they rush a call, pretending to be ill they will give less away, which certainly is not the case and this generally creates suspicion.

Information given by someone not ill can be inconsistent. Continually being absent from work for non-genuine reasons can easily be spotted if you cannot remember the symptoms previously given.

Some employees try and sound critically ill when they have only sprained an ankle or have a sore back, which does not usually affect your throat!

Telephone systems are extremely sensitive and background noise can be heard such as, children saying can we leave yet, televisions on when you claim you have a migraine or even worse, a tannoy at an airport or train station.

Although it is inevitable that some employees will call in sick, Active Health Partners suggest companies can take practical steps to reduce absenteeism over this period such as ensuring return to work interviews take place and being flexible with their workforce by positioning television screens in the workplace or by offering employees the option to use holiday time. If companies embrace the World Cup, they will stand in good stead in the future when asking staff to go that extra mile.

Fortunately the games are on European time so the belief is the impact will be minimised for most industries, however many businesses in the UK are 24/7 and these will feel a bigger impact.

ìWhen monitoring workplace absenteeism levels it is apparent that they increase dramatically during key sporting events in the calendar,î said Active Health Partnersí Gerry Callaghan.

ìIn the case of the 2005 Ashes, employee absenteeism rose by 20 per cent at the start of the tournament, and for the final test match it had increased by 30 per cent! Working from these figures we can safely assume that these levels of absenteeism will be mirrored ñ if not overtaken ñ during the World Cup, which will result in a substantial loss to British businesses. As the games in the first round will all be played in the evening or at the weekend, the increase in absence will be noted most among shift and evening workers and workplace absence will predictably increase the next day as a result of employees celebrating ñ or commiserating ñ the game results.î

As Active Health Partners offers a round-the-clock service, it has bought two wide-screen televisions so its staff can watch the games at work and therefore wonít be tempted to call in sick!