Women are far more savvy at pulling sickies than men... by staying at home and avoiding Facebook

We all know ‘friends' who have exaggerated cold and flu symptoms to get a day off work. But it appears when it comes to pulling off a convincing sickie, women are far more convincing than men. A survey of 10,000 adults found that one in 10 have been discovered pulling a sickie - either by bumping into a fellow worker out and about or by posting tell-tale clues on social media websites.

However, men are twice as likely to be caught out than women. Meanwhile four in 10 people sensibly avoid websites such as Facebook and Twitter completely on their bonus day off, though five per cent sail close to the wind by using them to gain sympathy for their fictional sickness.

The reasons for pulling a sickie are many and varied but hangovers are the most common culprit. Men are more likely to take a day off to nurse a sore head - making up 44 per cent of sickies compared to 34 per cent in women. A quarter decide to shun the office so that they can spend time at home with their partner, while 15 per cent use them to go to job interviews. However, a third don't go in as they 'just fancy a day off.

(DAILY MAIL)