It’s the first Monday in February which is statistically the one day of the year that British workplaces suffer the highest level of absenteeism throughout the entire year.

Whether it’s down to the fact that you’ve finally been paid after a long and arduous January or because you’ve celebrated the end of “Dry January” with a great knees-up over the weekend. For many it’s because the novelty has worn off the new year, resolutions have been broken and the “new year – new me” thing has been left by the wayside. Either way, many of us will choose not to come in to work today and as such, today has been recognised as “National Sickie Day”

Employment law experts ELAS, have compiled the most spectacular excuses heard by bosses in order to celebrate this year’s National Sickie Day.

The annual event, which marks the worst day of the year for absenteeism, falls on the first Monday in February each year, with around 350,000 people expected to call in sick this year.

• It’s my dogs’ birthday and I need to arrange a party for him
• My friend is on annual leave so I can’t get a lift
• I got arrested
• I lost my PPE
• I’m too drunk to drive
• My only pair of work trousers is in the wash
• I stayed out too late partying last night and haven’t had any sleep
• The dog ate my shoes
• My wife earns more than me so I have to look after the kids
• I have no way to get to work

ELAS expects today’s absences to cost the UK economy around £45m in wages, lost hours and overtime, while it has advised employers that they are “perfectly entitled to challenge the authenticity of an absence”.

A poll conducted by market research experts Mustard Research revealed that Monday was the most common day for men and women of all ages to call in sick.

So, whether you’re an absence fraught boss or an off-work-sick employee who’s pulled of a 3 day weekend by using your best “I can’t come in today because I’ve got one of those 24 hours bugs that’s going round” voices; just know, you’re not alone and across the country today thousands have followed suit!