Employment law firm Peninsula surveyed over 7,000 employees, and found that 80% of businesses reported staff taking a ‘sickie’, apportioning blame to the recent fine weather.

In a further survey of 524 workers, 7 in 10 were tempted to pull a ‘sickie’.

Worryingly, 8 in 10 saw no harm in taking an unauthorised sick day now and again, as long as it did not become a regular occurrence.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "If hot and sunny summers are going to be the result of global warming then the problem of workers pulling a 'sickie' will get worse.  If you’re tempted to take time off work because of the hot weather, then you are not alone, but before doing so, think about how unfair it is towards your employer and fellow colleagues. To prevent staff pulling a 'sickie', bosses may want to introduce incentives such as free ice cream, picnics or even an early finish providing targets are met. Also bosses need to ensure that office environments are comfortable with the provision of air conditioning and water machines, which will help keep morale going and ensure staff are looked after."