The number of people calling in sick today is expected to peak at 350,000 on what employers are calling National Sickie day. It is unclear exactly why so many people are expected to call in sick today for what is clear is that it is set to cost UK businesses around £30 million!

The survey also found that many employers in the UK are now accepting communication via e-mail and text rather than the traditional phone call when people will not be attending work. There is a feeling that employers are becoming too "soft" which has encouraged an increase in sickness days throughout the UK and throughout the world. Research by Employment Law Advisory Services confirms that over 25% of British companies do not have direct communications with their employees when they are sick with some leaving messages, e-mails and texts.

With the UK economy teetering on the brink of a recovery a one-day £30 million hit is something which UK industry can ill afford. There are also long-term problems regarding employees taking "sickies" as it places more pressure on those who are genuinely sick and unable to attend work. Despite the introduction of strict disciplinary procedures it seems as though many employees are still willing to take the risk for a day off work!

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