Millions of fans will skip work with Bowl ‘ fever’

Thinking about staying home the Monday after the Super Bowl? It turns out you’re not alone.

“Super Bowl fever” is expected to result in 17.5 million employees missing work on Monday, according to a survey by the Workforce Institute at Kronos Inc. It’s the largest amount ever since the institute began tracking in 2005. Kronos conducted the online survey with 1,148 U. S. employees.

While 11.1 million workers plan to use preapproved time to stay home on Super Bowl Monday, 4.7 million plan to call out sick even though they’re not ill, the survey found. Some workers even plan to not just show up, with 1.5 million workers planning to “ghost” their employer without notifying anyone.

“Despite the well- documented spike in workplace absences on the Monday following the Super Bowl, many organizations continue to operate as though it is business as usual that day,” said Joyce Maroney, executive director of The Workforce Institute at Kronos in a news release. “While the focus remains largely on reactive measures ... organizations that proactively plan will be rewarded with fewer absences and, more importantly, higher employee engagement.”

But it’s not just the Super Bowl, as 2020 is anticipated to be one of the biggest years for workplace absences. The survey found 48% of employees say they expect to miss work, call in late or even be distracted on the job due to major events.

“2020 will be one of the biggest years for workplace absence due to an action- packed calendar of major events and pop culture milestones,” said Maroney.

Super Bowl LIV will take place Sunday, Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florid, the 11th Super Bowl played in the Miami area, setting an NFL record. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs.