With Halloween just around the corner, it’s that time of year when things go bump in the night… or should we say bump in the office? As the spooky season approaches, BrightHR has noticed a chilling trend that will send a shiver up any employer’s spine.
Last year, there was a 120% increase in sickness absence and a 108% increase in lateness on the day after Halloween, according to the HR software company’s absence management software, which monitors over 750,000 employees at around 65,000 companies across the UK.
That’s spooky enough – but what about the reasons employees have given throughout the year for not turning up to the office? As the supernatural takes a hit on employee attendance, BrightHR CEO Alan Price delves into his top 5 picks for the spookiest absence reasons logged by real employees across the UK this year…
- Paranormal activities One employee claimed their house was haunted, stating they were too afraid to come to work and describing eerie whispers in the night and objects moving on their own. Another employee cited he was too afraid to come into work as the warehouse was too “creepy” around the quiet Christmas period.
Then there were the thrill-seekers who couldn’t resist the call from the other side, including one who set off to investigate the infamous 30 East Drive, the “most haunted house in England”. And let’s not forget the 15+ ghost hunters who took time off to chase spirits and uncover the mysteries of the afterlife!
2. Knives out Some of you may be familiar with Final Destination, a franchise where even the most mundane objects prove deadly. Well, there were at least 12 employees who had run-ins with Stanley knives this year, and at least three who found themselves in gnarly axe-related accidents.
One employee simply reported “knives” as his reason for absence, leaving us all in suspense. These tales of blades and bruises remind us that even everyday tools can turn into the stuff of nightmares.
3. When hexes hit home One employee reported that they were cursed and couldn’t risk coming to work for fear of “spreading it”. Another chilling tale involved a staff member claiming that his entire family were under a curse and that they needed to stay at home to “sort” the situation, leaving us with more questions than answers. The eeriest of all might be the employee who said their child was cursed, requiring a day off in order to break the spell. (Exorcism, anyone?)
These tales of curses and hexes remind us that sometimes, the reasons for missing work can be stranger than fiction.
4. 28 Sick Days later In the past year, several employees said they couldn’t make it into work due to a zombie apocalypse. Yes, you read that right—5 employees claimed the undead were roaming the streets, making it too dangerous for them to leave their homes.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, 8 people woke up feeling like zombies themselves, too sluggish and lifeless to face the day. Though they were more likely the victims of too much partying the night before rather than a zombie bite.
One employee even insisted they couldn’t go out in the sun, claiming they had developed vampirism. An Interview with the vampire in question might be necessary to determine the true cause of the absence.
5. The woods have eyes One employee found themselves embroiled in a battle against an “evil tree”, citing they were taking the day off to “fight a tree with an axe.” Their struggle was so great that they couldn’t make it to work that day, the malevolent woods leaving them too exhausted.
Then there was a mysterious employee who claimed she had to stay home to feed her wolves. Yes, you heard that right. Her eerie explanation conjures images of a lone figure in the moonlit woods, surrounded by her fearsome pack.
Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, comments: “You would be amazed by the weird and wonderful reasons employees log on our platform when calling in sick or requesting a couple of days off work. This year our absence management software has seen it all – from haunted houses and nefarious supernatural beings to full-blown apocalypses.
No matter the occasion, employers should ensure they have clear absence policies in mind and encourage open communication with their staff. Recording absences via an online platform allows employers to easily track and manage employee attendance in one place, as well as giving them the analytics and tools they need to track and report on staff absence trends, quickly approve requests for time off, and fill vacant shifts efficiently in the event of a spooky or unforeseen occurrence!”