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Extended Christmas break for 3m

Published On 3 January 2007 at 12:31:16

Despite the official Christmas leave period having finished, many employees are still reluctant to return to work.

The Institute of Payroll Professionals estimates that January 2nd is the peak day for workers to take a 'sickie', while observations of the transport system confirm that markedly fewer employees are attempting the commute into work.

On a typical day, 300,000 people 'call in sick', but early figures suggest this number swelled ten-fold yesterday.

Overall it is estimated that three million people, representing ten per cent of the private sector, will not return to work until Monday January 8th, stretching the Christmas break into a 16 week holiday.

However, business representatives have raised concerns over the effect of this on the UK economy, with some estimating that it could cost £2 billion.

Stephen Alambritis from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) told the Metro: "The fact more are now staying off until next week reflects the affluent society we live in.

"But it does give our competitors abroad a nice head start, even if people do come back more rested and productive."

The FSB claims that heftier holiday entitlements are encouraging employees to take longer breaks.

However, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has downplayed the FSB's concerns over the economic cost of this trend.

Chairman David Frost told the Evening Standard: "People now have more holidays than in the past and many people are taking them. We cannot complain about that. People are using holidays to extend the Christmas break."

Nevertheless, Mr Alambritis retorted: "There is a danger that we are closing the country down for 16 days, which is bad for the economy and bad for our members."

 

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