Fakers

A new survey claims 69 per cent of people have pulled a sickie in the past year

Now as someone who prides myself on not taking many sick days in my career, an email I recieved today made me quite annoyed.

Although as a disclaimer, the research - carried out by hronline - questioned 826 people - so hardly a huge proportion of the working populce!

However 69 per cent of those questioned admitted to 'pulling a sickie' in the last year, and 87 per cent of those would have no hesitation in doing so again. And 62 per cent of the original figure don't feel guilty about faking illness.

I've recently had to spend a few days at home because I've not been well and I'm still recovering as I write this. I've managed to work for the majority of the time apart from one day when I literally could not think straight - and I can say it is not something that I would choose to do.

I have found it frustrating and annoying because I haven't been able to do what I want to do. Especially over the weekend.

I've also seen people close to me struck down with serious illness and their main goal was to get back to work as soon as possible.

Why you would fake an illness when you are perfectly healthy, is beyond me.

Some of the excuses used are pathetic as well - "I get vertigo every time I get off the toilet", "I caught a cold from my cat" (what?!!), "someone on the bus coming into work had chickenpox so I returned home".....the list goes on.

God help these people when they are really ill, that is all I can say.

In the words of Alan Price - managing director of hronline: "If people don't like the job then find something you like to do - life is too short."

Quite.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who would love a chance to have a job.

However on the otherhand and because I can't be serious for too long - I'd love to hear from any reader(s) if their staff have used some strange excuses for not coming into work.