Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to call in sick today on the worst day of the year for absenteeism.

The first Monday in February is the day when staff are most likely to take an unofficial day off work.

Experts say post-Christmas blues, poor weather and a long wait for the summer holiday season are all to blame for people taking Monday February 4 off work.

Surveys have suggested around 310,000 workers will take a “sickie” today, at an estimated cost of £27million to British industry.

Peter Mooney, a spokesman for personnel software Employersafe, which monitors staff absenteeism, said: “It is a well-known fact in the business world that the first Monday of February is deemed the worst in terms of absenteeism.

“We now advise our clients to keep a particularly close eye on staff taking this day off.

“Psychologists claim National Sickie Day is the result of a combination of factors, including bad weather, long dark nights and the seemingly never-ending wait until summer.

“Although many people will be swinging the lead, employers must also acknowledge that many people are also off work with genuine ailments, such as colds and flu at the time of year.

“That is why it is important to monitor staff absenteeism to work out who is genuine and who is faking it.”

For more information about the scheme or any other employment law matter, please call ELAS on 0161 785 2000

Visit www.employment-law.uk.com for more information.

For HR Software to manage your absences, visit www.employersafe.co.uk