A new poll reports that younger workers are more likely than older employees to call in sick when they are not actually too unwell to work. The Daily Mail says just over 80% of workers under 25 took a sick day in the last year despite being only “not too unwell,” compared with 43% of people aged 55 to 64.
The Independent adds context, describing the behaviour as “pulling a sickie” and suggesting younger staff may use sick leave to recover from events such as late nights or hangovers. While the outlets cite the same overall trend—higher rates among younger age groups—their emphasis differs: the Daily Mail focuses on the age comparison, whereas The Independent highlights the possible reasons behind the calls in sick.
All accounts present the findings as based on survey data and frame the result as a generational difference in how sick leave is used, rather than changes in illness rates themselves.
