A survey of 2,024 Australians has revealed that 16 percent of Aussies have chucked a sickie after Australia Day at least once, compared with 10 percent on Anzac Day, 10 percent after Melbourne Cup, and eight percent after footy grand final weekends.
The survey, which was conducted by mobile payment and deals app for bars, pubs and their restaurants, Clipp, also found that older Australians appear to value their work benefits and entitlements more, with younger Australians more likely to call in sick after Australia Day.
One quarter (24 percent) of respondents in their 20s admitted to doing so – of that, 13 percent said they had done it once while 11 percent said they’d done it a few times. This is closely followed by under 20s at 22 percent (17 percent once and six percent a few times) then 16 percent of 30-somethings, 12 percent of 40-somethings, nine percent of 50-somethings and four percent of 60+.
In terms of the gender breakdown, males are more likely to have a sickie (17 percent) than females (14 percent), and while more admit to chucking a sickie once (nine percent each), eight percent of males admit to doing it more than once – six percent for females.
Sydneysiders and Melburnians are similar, with 15 and 16 percent respectively having admitted to taking the day off at least once after Australia Day.
“On the flipside, 84 percent of respondents haven’t chucked a sickie after Australia Day, which is good news for employers who may have concerns about staff calling in sick,” said Greg Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Clipp.
“And of the 16 percent admitting to chucking a sickie after Australia Day, just seven percent said they have done it ‘a few times’. Australia Day occurs at the end of a long January holiday for many Aussies, so there is little motivation to sneak in a sickie. Unlike sporting weekends, we also tend to see January 26 as more of a relaxing day to spend with family.”
