PRESS RELEASE: Continental Tyres
Written: Friday 30th April, 2010
SICK OF FOOTY
One in four workers plans to pull a sickie to watch World Cup games this summer, it emerged yesterday (Thurs).
Researchers found just over nine million UK employees will skive for an average of 3.5 days during the month long tournament.
That means footy fans will submit 31,850,000 excuses as they phone or text their boss and fake illness.
Incredibly, one in six women said they will take a sickie to watch England play Slovenia at 3pm on June 23 so they can watch Capello's boys in action.
Tim Bailey, spokesperson for Continental Tyres, an Official FIFA Sponsor, which carried out the poll of 4,000 Brits, said: ''The World Cup is a massive event.
''It is clear that fans will try almost anything not to miss a big game.
''We understand the appeal of the matches but maybe people should think ahead and follow the safer line of booking holiday rather risking a collision with their boss.''
The survey found seven in ten plan on watching the World Cup matches - averaging eight games in total.
Four in ten supporters plan on checking scores, gossip and team line-ups from behind their desk at work for at least 22 minutes a day - or 5.5 hours throughout the tournament.
One in ten die-hard fans would even quit their job if they had a ticket for the FIFA World Cup Final if they were refused time off work by their boss.
A dodgy stomach (28 per cent), feeling sick (23 per cent) and a headache (20 per cent) will be blamed for keeping people away from work when matches are scheduled.
And bosses beware - a cheeky one in six workers will lie and say their car won't start, have a sudden bout of food poisoning or simply feel dizzy.
One in 20 will even blame a death in the family for keeping them off work.
Another two days of work will be missed by one in five workers following heavy nights of drinking and partying with mates.
Tim Bailey added: ''This shows how far fans are willing to go to get to South Africa.
''Even in the current climate they would consider giving up their job. We've been hearing from loads of footie fans who have gone to extreme lengths to see their favourite teams play, in our search for the UK's Biggest Football Fan.
''The leading contenders are announced next week and people can vote for their favourite at www.continentalsbiggame.co.uk.''
The study also found seven in ten Brits reckon Fabio Capello is the right man to lead our World Cup charge while one in three think this is England's best-ever chance to lift the trophy.
But a quarter of women admitted they now won't watch the World Cup because David Beckham isn't playing.
TOP 10 WORLD CUP SICKIE EXCUSES
1. Dodgy stomach
2. Vomiting
3. Headache
4. High temperature and dizziness
5. Food poisoning
6. Car won't start
7. Boiler broke
8. Child unwell
9. Ear ache / infection
10. Husband or wife is ill so have to look after them/the kids
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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