Biggest sickie of the 12 months will see 800,000 workers skip work on ‘Slack Thursday

Experts are warning that, due to England vs Argentina World Cup hangovers, businesses are likely to see a 25% jump in people calling into work ill

The biggest sick day of the year today (July 16) will see 800,000 staff skip work on “Slack Thursday”. It’s the morning after the night before after pubs last night saw 30 million pints supped for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Experts are warning that, due to hangovers, businesses are likely to see a 25% jump in people calling into work ill. Millions more staff will turn up late or be unproductive after boozing for the Argentina clash, experts said, with others will be working from home for an easier day with delicate heads out of bosses’ sight.

Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, said: “It’s ‘Slack Thursday’ today after such a big night of drinking for England’s semi-final.”

He added: “We expect sickness absence to spike by around 25 per cent, with increased lateness plus reduced productivity from those who do make it in, due to sore heads.” Pubs had scrambled for more beer as 23 million fans watched the semi-final in TV’s highest audience for two years.

One in three of the population tuned in to the BBC, with roads, railway stations and local supermarkets deserted as the nation stopped for the 8pm prime-time Argentina clash. Amid a £364million big match blowout, bars ordered in extra supplies for their busiest ever midweek trading day, with nationwide late licensing until 1am.

14 million pints – six million more than normal – were drunk in boozers yesterday, (July 15)) with another 16 million pints, seven million more than average, downed at home, British Beer and Pub Association beer consumption data trends covering pubs and supermarkets said. Three million drinkers rammed England’s 30,000 pubs for the game, boosted by 1am late licences and the heatwave.

Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, which represents pubs and other venues, said: “Pubs stocked up for one of the busiest weekday trading nights the industry has seen for years. The England semi-final, an 8pm prime-time kick-off and 1am licensing meant it was a bumper night.

“Millions more pints were poured as the nation came together to cheer on the team.” At the last World Cup, things were much calmer as England didn’t even make the semi finals in 2022.

At the time, England went out in the quarter finals after losing 2 1 to France.

That tournament was also staged in November and December, so there was no mid July summer heatwave backdrop and no nationwide beer garden blowouts to fuel a “Slack Thursday” style hangover effect.

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