44% of British workers aged 20-39 have, in the past five years, lied about being sick in order get a day off work, compared to just 12% of those over 50. 29% of workers aged 20-39 consider “sickies” to be “additional holidays” that they deserve.  (RIAS/Daily Mail)

This is hardly new.  I remember reviewing employee attendance and noticed that one woman was taking exactly six weeks a year away from work, every year.   Her holiday allowance was three weeks, and she was apparently taking the extra three as bogus sick leave, regardless of health (two week’s longer total leave than anyone else).  I took her to task about her absences and was told that  she was “entitled to it”.  No,  I explained, it is there to protect your income for a while if you were genuinely ill.  It needs a doctor’s certificate.  She was astonished. Yes, it ought to have been sat upon ages before, but it does illustrate an attitude of mind.  “Get away with it if you can”.

The Epicurean approach is to give value for money, no cheating, no lying and no pressuring your work colleagues who have to cover for you.

Have a happy and fulfilling 2016!