Young workers are almost twice as likely to “pull a sickie” as workers over 50, new polling data has revealed.
Four in five workers under 25 have admitted to taking at least one “sickie” in the last year when they were not too unwell to work, almost double that of workers aged 55 to 64.
The polling, conducted by Merlin Strategy for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), defined a “sickie” as telling an employer you were too unwell to work when your symptoms were not, in fact, serious enough to prevent you from working.
Two in five under-25s reported taking sickies on at least five days during the past year, compared to just one in 10 older workers.
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The polling data also reveals a striking divide between the work ethos of those in employment.
Almost four in five under-25s said being “too tired” had contributed to taking unnecessary time off.
Whereas only 40 per cent of older workers said they had been too tired to work.
More than half of under-25s said attending a job interview or doing other work had played a part, while 52 per cent cited social reasons such as a late night or hangover.
Among those aged 55 to 64, the equivalent figures were just 12 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.
The poll also revealed that 77 per cent of younger workers had taken a “mental-health day”, compared with less then half of older workers.
Nikita Malik, Head of Work and Opportunity at the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Workers in their 50s and above bring enormous experience and commitment to the workplace, and our polling shows they are much less likely than younger colleagues to take unnecessary time off.
“Britain cannot afford to discard people who still have so much to contribute.
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“If the Prime Minister wants to unlock growth and tackle economic inactivity, Britain’s workforce in their midlife and beyond must be seen as part of the solution.”
The findings form part of CSJ’s Beyond Midlife Commission, chaired by wellbeing entrepreneur Liz Earle MBE and bringing together public figures including Penny Lancaster and Angela Rippon alongside cross-party politicians and experts.
The Commission is examining how Britain can help Britons approaching midlife and beyond to stay healthy, financially secure and economically active.
The commission was founded after the CSJ revealed that 2.15 million people aged 50 to 64 are now receiving out-of-work benefits.
The number has risen by 600,000 from figures prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fewer than two in every 100 are required to look for employment.
The commission is set to detail its full report in Autumn 2026.
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