Taking a sickie - the top 10 excuses

If we're honest, most of us have indulged in the occasional white lie in order to 'pull a sickie'. In fact, the first Monday in February is often dubbed 'national sickie day', when staff are most likely to take an unofficial day off. But as careers expert Judi James warns, it can be a tricky tightrope to walk

I've got a bad cold/cough

This is a classic that works a treat if performed correctly. Make sure to set it up with some groundwork, maybe a headache two days earlier, which develops into a throbbing pain the following day. Staff that live near their work should stay indoors as getting spotted gorging on pastries in the local bakery isn't advisable.

And, as Judi James notes: 'The biggest giveaway is someone ringing in for you, when your 'illness' wouldn't normally prevent you from picking up the phone. Your boss has to collude with your lie, saying things like "Tell them to get better soon", which makes them even more angry.'

It's a flu thing

Flu isn't a bad cold, it is high fever, fatigue and aching muscles, although symptoms are sudden and a three-day bout is feasible. Even making the sickie phone call would be hard work with a genuine dose of influenza and, as one manager recalls: 'My PA called with 'the flu' before breezily mentioning she was popping out for fresh air. With flu, she'd barely be able to get out of bed. That was the last sickie she pulled for some time.'

Headache from hell

According to a survey by employment consultancy Croner, 77 per cent of employers believe a migraine is an acceptable excuse for a day off work. Interestingly, fewer colleagues (65 per cent) found it suitable.

Food poisoning

'I ate some dodgy seafood' is often enough to convince. The problem for employers is that it is difficult to tell if it really is a 24-hour bug, with no warning and few obvious after-effects. But, as Judi James explains, the giveaway is offering too much detail. She says: 'Liars over-elaborate, so instead of just mentioning a stomach upset, they go into huge detail, including each item of food consumed.'