Hungover office workers are set to cost seething bosses £790 million this Christmas.
This is according to a survey conducted by budget hotel chain Travelodge, that says workers predict productivity to dip by as much as half, with the average hungover worker spending two and a half hours staring into space the day after the office party.
The poll also revealed that as many as 30 per cent of adults have called in sick due to a hangover, even though 34 per cent of respondents were convinced their boss knew they were pulling a fake sickie.
Workers with a sore head can expect little sympathy from colleagues, as 67 per cent of respondents confirmed they get annoyed when a team member is off due to feeling a little off colour the day after a party.
Those that are truly sick, even if it is self-inflicted, don’t fare much better when they do make it into the office. Twenty-one per cent admit to being sick at work – 77 per cent make it to the bathroom in time, with the remainder not being as fortunate and vomiting either at their desk, in the kitchen, car park or, shockingly, at a meeting.
Even more worryingly, 18 per cent of respondents admitted to driving into work despite having a severe hangover and freely admitted that they could well be over the legal drink and driving limit.
Sleeping on the job is also commonplace with a quarter admitting to a catnap at work after a big night out.
The top five locations for forty winks include:
1. At the desk or under the desk
2. In the toilet
3. In the car
4. In a meeting
5. In the board room or stationery cupboard.
Painkillers are voted as the number one cure, with going back to bed voted a close second, followed by coffee, a full English breakfast and a bacon sandwich.
Leigh McCarron, Travelodge sleep director, said: “It’s not just sleep that can cure the effects of a big night out, it’s also what you do before and after. Always drink plenty of water before going to bed and, first thing in the morning, eat a healthy breakfast.”
A total of 4,500 British workers were quizzed as part of the survey during November 2007.
