“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, make you want to move your dancing feet, to the rescue, here I am, want you to know just if you can, where I stand…”
Yep, you guessed it, this week I have been mostly sitting in the pub garden, avoiding the fetid stench of the office (McKelvey’s front room) and the even more fetid stench of my esteemed bosses’ alcohol sweats.
And, it seems, so have many of you, with the latest research from The Global Payroll Alliance (no, me neither), revealing that around a third of UK workers are more likely to skive off work when the sun is shining.
Some 34% admit that it’s likely they will take an extended lunch break when the weather warms up; 31% said they are likely to clock off early, and one in 10 even admitted they are likely to pull a sickie in order to secure a full day of fun in the sun.
No wonder the country is buggered.
However, those surveyed claim that when they are at work, productivity remains the same regardless of the weather…a likely story.
In fact, while 5% of UK workers say their productivity slumps when the sun is out, 19% believe it actually improves. However, for the vast majority (76%), there is no discernible change. What-ever.
Over to Global Payroll Alliance Founder and CEO Melanie Pizzey, who said: “Heading into work on a sunny day can be a bitter pill to swallow, especially when the British weather can be so inconsistent and unpredictable.
“On one hand, the sun can boost our mood and make for a far more enjoyable commute to work. On the other, who wants to be stuck at work all day when the weather is glorious?
“While a large number of people admit to being more tempted to take long lunches or finish early on sunny days, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not getting their work done. If anything, they’re probably knuckling down more than usual to get through their workload in order to earn themselves a few more extra hours in the sun.
“And besides, hot days are few and far between here in the UK, so perhaps we can allow ourselves a little freedom to enjoy them when the sun does grace us with its presence?”
Blimey, Melanie sounds like the sort of boss I need; I wonder if they’ve got any jobs over at The Global Payroll Alliance?
Still, make the most of it while you can. The Bank Holiday’s looming and that only means one thing: wind and rain.
Follow Foxy on X and Instagram if you must, but don’t get too excited as I’m never there
