Research, from coach travel company SMC, has found nearly a third (31%) of Brits have taken a sick day from work to go on holiday, a new survey has revealed. The data also showed that Millennials were the worst offenders, with 49% admitting to pulling a sickie to extend their annual leave.
Just 17% of those aged 45-54 admitted they have previously taken a sick day for a holiday, while a third of 20-24 year olds confirmed they have told the white lie to their employer, the second highest of any age bracket.
When it comes to area, London has the biggest culprits with 50% of respondents in the capital confessing to having taken a sick day in order to jet off.
Commenting on the results, Stephen Chesters, Director at SMC Coach Hire said: “Holiday costs continuing to rise is clearly influencing the decisions people make around travel, with many Brits looking for ways to maximise both their annual leave and their budgets.
“While taking an unauthorised sick day or removing children from school during term time can carry risks, the findings show that a significant number of people are still prepared to do so in order to secure cheaper trips and spend more time away with family,” he added. “At SMC, we’re seeing strong demand from travellers planning ahead and looking for more affordable group travel options, particularly outside of peak periods where prices can increase dramatically.”
