An estimated 800,000 employees are set to skip work on Thursday, July 16, in what experts are calling the biggest sick day of the year, dubbed 'Slack Thursday'. The mass absenteeism follows England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, which saw 30 million pints consumed in pubs and homes across the nation.
Surge in Sickness Absence
Experts warn that businesses will face a 25% increase in staff calling in sick due to hangovers. Millions more are expected to arrive late or be unproductive, with many opting to work from home to nurse delicate heads away from bosses' scrutiny. Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, said: "It's 'Slack Thursday' today after such a big night of drinking for England's semi-final. 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."
Record-Breaking Night Out
Pubs scrambled for extra supplies as 23 million fans tuned into the match on BBC, the highest TV audience in two years. One in three of the population watched the 8pm kick-off, causing roads, railway stations, and supermarkets to empty. The night saw a £364 million blowout, with nationwide late licensing until 1am. The British Beer and Pub Association reported that 14 million pints were drunk in pubs—six million more than normal—and another 16 million pints at home, seven million above average. Three million drinkers packed England's 30,000 pubs, boosted by the heatwave and extended hours.
Industry Reaction
Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, 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."
Comparison to Previous World Cups
This year's 'Slack Thursday' contrasts sharply with the 2022 World Cup, where England exited in the quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to France. That tournament was held in November and December, missing the summer heatwave and beer garden gatherings that fueled this year's hangover effect.
