National Sickie Day - The first Monday of every February is when most workers are likely to call in sick.

National Sickie Day 2025 – February 3, 2025

Known as National Sickie Day in the U.K., the first Monday of every February is statistically the day when most workers are likely to call in sick, according to research first conducted by British law firm ELAS in 2011. Experts attribute this to a combination of gloomy weather, post-holiday blues, and seasonal illnesses. Unsurprisingly, depression and anxiety run high during the winter months. Although the term ‘sickie’ implies false pretenses, labor and mental-health advocates argue that the stigma around mental-health issues leads many people to use other, more ‘legitimate’ illnesses as their stated reasons for staying home.

History of National Sickie Day

National Sickie Day was first coined in 2011 by a British law firm ELAS after they published research showing that the first Monday in February is the most likely day for workers in the U.K. to call in sick. Reasons (legitimate and otherwise) range from an illness or a hangover (it’s the first Monday after Dry January, after all) to staying up late to watch the American Super Bowl.In 2020, around 600,000 workers called in sick, costing the British economy close to 45 million pounds. However, experts argue that taking a day off may actually be more productive than going to work sick, where the employee is likely to spread illness and function at reduced capacity.A 2015 survey showed that workers calling in sick with a mental-health issue were more likely to lie to their employers than those with a physical ailment. Doctors and mental-health professionals argue that employers must emphasize the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma around it. Some employers show little sympathy for physical illness too, with only 42% of senior managers viewing the flu as a reason to stay home.Although Monday is the most popular day of the week for calling in sick, in recent years, other Mondays throughout the year have supplanted the first of February for the highest absence rates, making the title of National Sickie Day less accurate. However, the ‘holiday’ remains a popular talking point and excuse for people to take a day off, knowing others are likely doing the same.

National Sickie Day timeline

1986
Ferris Bueller Takes the Day Off

Matthew Broderick’s breakout role as America’s most lovable truant in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” elevates calling in sick to an art form.

April 6, 1993
The U.K. Introduces Sick Pay

The Statutory Sick Pay Bill is passed in the U.K. Parliament, mandating paid sick leave by all employers.

2011
‘National Sickie Day’ Coined

The term ‘National Sickie Day’ first appears after research shows that one day of the year has more sick day call-ins than any other.

May 7, 2018
San Francisco Mandates Paid Sick Leave

San Francisco becomes the first U.S. city to require paid sick leave for all employees.

National Sickie Day FAQs

Why is Monday the most common sick day?

Many people call in sick after a holiday weekend when they’re likely to either get a legitimate illness or feel tired or hungover from the weekend’s festivities.

Can you be sacked for pulling a sickie?

If an employee is caught exaggerating or fabricating an illness or injury to pull a sickie, the employer can dismiss them for misconduct and breach of trust. 

What is the best excuse for calling in sick?

Physical ailments and illnesses like the flu, back pain, or an injury caused by an accident rank as the best excuses for calling in sick.

How to Celebrate National Sickie Day

  1. Take the day off

    That’s a no-brainer. If you can, take the day off work and spend it with your family, pets, or engaging in a hobby you don’t usually have time for. 2. Promote mental-health support It’s ok to take a mental-health day. Lend your support to an organization that works on reducing stigma and enabling access to mental-health resources. 3. Take the day off from everything Maybe you’re staying home from work, but if you spend the day mindlessly scrolling through your social media, your brain isn’t getting much of a break. Make it a point to truly disconnect and stay off Facebook, email, and news sites for a day.

  2. Promote mental-health support

    It’s ok to take a mental-health day. Lend your support to an organization that works on reducing stigma and enabling access to mental-health resources.

  3. Take the day off from everything

    Maybe you’re staying home from work, but if you spend the day mindlessly scrolling through your social media, your brain isn’t getting much of a break. Make it a point to truly disconnect and stay off Facebook, email, and news sites for a day.

5 Of The Worst Sickie Day Excuses

  1. I stayed out partying and didn't get enough sleep

    Believe it or not, some people think honesty is the best policy, even when it comes to sick day excuses!

  2. I’m having period pains”

    This is a perfectly valid excuse… if you have a uterus!

  3. I got arrested

    If you end up in the slammer the night before Sickie Day, you may not want to tell your boss.

  4. The cat stole my house keys

    Although it sounds like a variation on “the dog ate my homework,” this was a legitimate excuse used by a worker in 2019.

  5. I have Ebola

    If you’re going to claim to have a disease, maybe stick with a more common one — not one that would cause the National Health Service to examine and quarantine you!

Why National Sickie Day Is Important

  1. It reminds you that sick days are a worker’s right

    This unofficial ‘holiday’ reminds workers to take time off when they need it.

  2. It draws attention to mental-health issues

    Too many employees lie about why they stay home because they’re afraid of the stigma that comes with admitting to mental-health issues. Destigmatizing mental health will help more workers feel comfortable accessing resources and taking time off when they need it, leading to happier workforces and improved productivity.

  3. It promotes healthier work policies

    Many activists argue that the reason workers ‘pull a sickie’ is often related to their fear of retribution from their employer. Fair, reasonable time-off policies can reduce worker dishonesty and improve worker health and relations between employers and employees.

National Sickie Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 February 7 Monday
2023 February 6 Monday
2024 February 5 Monday
2025 February 3 Monday
2026 February 2 Monday