While good weather, hangovers, and romance are motivations for 11%, 18% and 5 % of 'skivers' respectively, the majority (61%) claim they are simply bored and depressed with work.
Prevention may be easier than cure given the lengths people go to cover their tracks. Illness is the favoured excuse for 83% of people taking 'sickies', with four out of 10 even faking symptoms around the office in preparation for a day off. Some 16% of 'skivers' sniff at work, another 12% pretend to lose their voice, while 5% have even used props such as bandages, crutches and make-up.
The illness of choice though, is one, which is difficult to prove: half of all excuses involve gastro related problems. For 21% of workers, family responsibilities are the real reason behind 'sick' days, perhaps highlighting the difficulties people face achieving a work-life balance. Employers need to take heed because taking a day off for a false reason seems to be contagious. A third of workers think they'd be more likely to take unwarranted leave if they see their colleagues getting away with it. The symptoms can also be long lasting, with two thirds of 'skivers' saying their days off are more credible if they pretend to be ill for more than one day.
Some 15% of those people pulling 'sickies' said they'd been working hard and deserved the time. On average, survey respondents believe you can take 5.17 days absence under false pretences before your employer becomes suspicious.
And while most (79%) workers phone in sick themselves, 9% get someone else to do so; 5% text; 3% email and 3% leave a message before anyone is in the office
Neil Roden, HR consulting partner at PwC said: "Absenteeism costs British business around £32bn a year, but our findings suggest a large chunk of this loss is preventable. If people are bored and depressed with their jobs, employers need to think creatively how they can get people back in gear. Rather than a sign of laziness, unwarranted absence can mean people are under-used.
"Introducing or enhancing flexible working arrangements can make a difference. Ensuring people feel they're not taken for granted is also important. Some 15% of those who provided false excuses felt they deserved the time.
"Employers need to use both carrot and stick. If it's very easy to call in sick, or you don't even need to call at all, then people are more likely to abuse the system. But if there's more of a process to follow, people are more likely to think twice about taking time out. Of course if someone's prepared to don crutches or bandages, there's less you can do, but clearly there's a shelf life to such tactics. "With UK absenteeism levels double those recorded in the US, it is vital British employers get to grips with the problem to ensure the UK remains competitive."
The most far-fetched excuses used by survey respondents include:
I fell out of the loft
My rabbit ran away and there were foxes in the area
I was beaten up by a bouncer
I was unable to open a hand from a clamped fist
Pets feature in a large proportion of excuses, with dog related problems most common, followed by those involving budgies, and hamsters next.
The PwC commissioned research was conducted by Opinium in June 2011. A total 1190 people were polled, of which 34% admitted taking time off under false pretences. A separate 1200 people who all admitted taking time off under false pretences were then surveyed on their motivation and approach. PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients.
More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. See pwc.com for more information.
