Forty percent of UK office workers have pretended to be sick at least once during the last year, according to a recent survey by office design company Maris Interiors. The most common excuses given for missing work were cough/flu (24%), stomach upset (18%) and minor injuries (7%).

Twelve percent of those questioned admitted to doing groundwork prior to taking a sick day - by mentioning some fake symptoms the day before. And we're a lot lazier than our friends across the pond: a similar survey conducted in 2008 in the States showed only a third of US employees admit faking illness to miss work.

Of those who admitted pretending to be unwell; 82% think they got away with it, and only 3% were found out as having faked their illness or injury. No-one surveyed had managed to lose their job for as a result.

Maris Interiors Chairman Michael Howard said, "We've always known that some people fake the occasional sick day, but I'm surprised the numbers were so high. I would definitely advise fakers to text in their excuses rather than phone if they don't want to get caught: there's a reason you work in an office not on the stage!"

Notes

1) Maris Interiors LLP is the UK's leading specialist in workplace design and creation. The company design and create world class working environments for occupiers throughout the UK and continental Europe. Their team of experts have extensive and in-depth knowledge of how good design can substantially improve business performance, save substantial amounts of money and help retain and attract key people.

2) 287 office workers participated in the survey, conducted between 30th May - 3rd June 2011.

Source:
Maris Interiors LLP