Six in 10 people put on a ‘fake voice’ to call in sick

Six in 10 people who call in sick for work via phone put on a ‘fake voice’ – to make it more believable.

A poll of 2,000 employed adults found the top reasons why they need to pull a sickie in December include Christmas parties (29 per cent), staying out too late celebrating with friends and family (27 per cent) and general festive burnout after too much socialising (25 per cent).

Some (six per cent) even ask someone else to do it for them – as 46 per cent are set to fake an illness this festive period.

It comes as a sick note service has been rolled out for Darts Fans at Alexandra Palace after a big night at the World Darts Championship.

Employing the expertise of legendary darts caller Russ Bray and comedic celebrity lookalike Tim Oliver, fans have been able to record in-person sick notes with the stars to be sent directly to their boss so they don’t have to make that call themselves.

Lorenzo Farronato, spokesperson for Fireball Whisky, which commissioned the research, the service and which has also developed sick notes for those unable to attend [https://fireballuk.com/pages/sick-note], said: “People can go to such great lengths to fake a sick day – especially by using a fake voice.”