In case you weren’t aware, this Monday (1 February) is National Sick Day.

The first Monday of February is thought to be the most likely day in the year for employees to call in sick, thanks to Christmas credit card bills, the gloomy weather and a long wait to the next Bank Holiday.

Around 20% of full-time, salaried employees admit to calling in sick to enjoy a day off, according to the findings of a Kronos absenteeism survey, which coincides with National Sick Day.

More than 70% of respondents would take a day off spontaneously rather than planned, with Friday the most likely day to take off. Mmm, tell us something we don’t already know.

So employers: set your calendar reminders to Monday. That is, if you’re in yourselves…