• 11.7 million people have bunked off work early to go on holiday in the last 12 months
• 17.8 million working hours sacrificed for extra holiday time in the last year
• Covert escape tactics involve still answering work emails, avoiding social media and even covering up the tan
• Popular countries to travel to include Spain, USA, Ireland and France~
   

New research from Direct Line Travel Insurance reveals that 11.7 million Brits (23 per cent) have snuck off work early to go on holiday, or missed work after arriving back late from their trip, in the last 12 months1. One in six (16 per cent) have escaped on holiday during work time at least twice in the last year alone.

On average, people tend to take 1.5 hours unregistered leave each time they head off on vacation, accounting for 17.8 million working hours sacrificed for extra holiday time2 each year. Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of those who stretch their holiday time to the max, bunk off 2-3 hours early, or arrive back late, while six per cent have taken more than three hours of unauthorised leave.

Holidaymakers go to great lengths to cover up their absence from work, with some pretending to be in the office by sending emails from their work phone (11 per cent), while others take a break from social media during their trip (eight per cent). Some risk hiding their weekend bag at the office, hoping no one will see it, while others pretend they haven’t been away by trying to cover up their tan.

Table one: Lengths Brits will go to for the extra holiday time

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2017
 

The most popular international destination worth bunking off work for is Spain, with a quarter (27 per cent) of Brits jetting off for sun instead of the office grind. Other popular destinations include the USA (16 per cent), Ireland (14 per cent) and France (14 per cent). 

Table two: Most popular destinations for unauthorised time off

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2017

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line commented: “Jetting off for a long weekend is an incredibly popular holiday choice, as travellers can pop to many European cities in time for dinner on a Friday night and return to work for breakfast on Monday. The extra couple of hours can make all the difference, giving holidaymakers an extra night away from home. Anyone planning on going to work straight from the airport should remember to factor in extra time for delays or cancellations and have a contingency plan in place just in case.”

The most popular excuse given to work as an explanation for absence is illness (13 per cent), or a family emergency and bereavement (10 per cent). Other excuses include appointments (six per cent), delayed travel back home (six per cent) and friend or family being locked out (five per cent).

Surprisingly British bosses appear to be very understanding when it comes to precious holiday time, allowing employees to take a few extra hours here and there with half (52 per cent) of those who left work early or returned late being up front their bosses about the reason why they weren’t in the office. Employers are likely to be more lenient with staff leaving a little early, as one in seven (13 per cent) British workers don’t use all their holiday allowance each year3. 

Young people are much more likely to take time off without registering it as leave, with two fifths (40 per cent) of those aged 18-34 admitting it, compared to just 28 per cent of those aged 34-54. Nearly a third (30 per cent) of the millennial generation admit they have snuck off work early or gone in late on two or more occasions in the last 12 months alone in order to maximise their holiday.

Tom Bishop continued: “It’s important for holidaymakers to remember that no matter where they are going it is worth taking out a comprehensive travel insurance to cover them in case of cancellation, delays, loss or stolen baggage and sickness.

“If you go on multiple breaks throughout the year an annual policy is worth considering, as they are often better value and save you the hassle of buying a new policy every time you fancy a break.”
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editor

1. Research was conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 2,004 UK adults between 7-10 February 2017
2. 23% (have left early or arrived late) of 51,339,000 = 11,707,546 *1.5 = 17,803,633 hours of work missed in the last 12 months
3. Research was conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 2,008 UK adults between 12th to 15th July 2016
    

For further information, please contact:

Claire Jarrett

Media Relations Executive

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 411

Email: [email protected]
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com