Many Brits regularly use their sick leave entitlement to jet off to the sun, with roughly two million workers having pulled sickies in the last two years, reveals an insurance company.
According to Direct Line Travel Insurance approximately one in ten workers in the UK have phoned in sick during the last two years, often to escape for a mini-break or holiday.
Many workers eager to claw back some relaxation time have even paid their employers to allow them additional holidays and a further one in seven said they'd been keen to take advantage of these kinds of schemes if they were on offer.
The insurance company also found that many felt it was reasonable to use sick leave or unpaid absence to enjoy a break from work, considering the fact that UK employees work some of the longest hours in Europe and have some of the shortest holidays.
On average, a British employee gets 25 days' paid leave a year which is five days lower that the average minimum of 30 days in the EU.
Commenting on the findings, Chris Price from the travel insurance company says that the fact so many people were willing to phone in sick was "surprising".
He added: "British workers may not have as much holiday as their European counterparts, but they certainly seem to be making the most of them, often going abroad several times a year."
However, he went on to emphasise that travel insurance is essential for trips abroad and an annual travel insurance policy providing unlimited cover is a worthwhile investment for frequent travellers.
Sickies used to go on holiday, reveals travel insurance provider
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Sickies used to go on holiday, reveals travel insurance provider
Thu, 11 May 2006
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