Sickie nation: Tuesday is the new Monday-itis TUESDAY-ITIS is the new Monday-itis. The second day of the working week is now the chronic bludger's day of choice to hit the beach, have a round of golf or kick back and enjoy daytime TV. Tuesday has become the day of choice for having a "sicky." Data covering 450,000 employees from 108 businesses collected by absence management company Direct Health Solutions has found 10-15 per cent of absenteeism is dodgy. Company CEO Paul Dundon said since companies started to crack down on the three-day weekend, workers have been changing their behaviour. "The worst thing an employee can do is be sick on a Monday - even if it is genuine," he said. Companies have been cracking down on Monday-itis and many now require employees to bring a medical certificate. People have wised up to the fact that they can fly under the radar if they make it a Tuesday. Mr Dundon said Friday has the lowest rate of absenteeism because everyone is a good mood, there is often cake and a lot of people are going out for work drinks. The average level of employee absence has risen to 8.9 days per employee per year, up from 8.7 days in 2012. The report said "levels of absenteeism in Australia are over 50 per cent higher now than they are in the UK." Feeling off colour ... Tuesday-itis is the new Monday-itis. Mr Dundon said bosses are not policing absenteeism effectively by allowing people with genuine health issues to take more and more time off. Ten per cent of workers are responsible for 30-45 per cent of all time lost within organisations. "There are a few people who may be abusing the system but most are doing the right thing and there is a few people who are taking a disproportionate amount of time off," he says. The real issue is those taking more than they are entitled to and businesses not effectively managing it. Direct Health Solutions takes about 1000 calls a day from employees who can't come into work. Unexpected illness, carers leave and "chucking a sickie - entitlement mentality" are the three most popular reasons for taking the day off, surveyed employers said. Mental health issues (stress/depression/anxiety) is the fastest-growing reason for people taking time off work. Manual labour workers are also more likely to take time off, with 9.2 days per year taken for manual trades compared to 7.8 per cent in non-manual jobs. Mr Dundon said manual trades are normally "highly unionised, more physically demanding, often an ageing workforce, are culturally entitlement environments and have an acceptance and tolerance of taking sick days." In your organisation, which were the seven main drivers of employee absence in 2013? Unexpected illness 83% Carers leave 71% Chucking a sickie - entitlement mentality 68% Ongoing illness 48% Mental ill-health (stress/depression/anxiety) 45% Poor management of employee absence 38% Type of work performed 27% Low levels of physical well-being 24% e.g. unhealthy lifestyle Lack of engagement 22% Lack of flexibility 13% Transport difficulties 2% Source: Direct Health Solutions The most common sick days taken by Australians. Graphic supplied by Direct Health Solutions Australia. .