People prone to calling in sick on Fridays or Mondays are being warned they could have ‘Weekend Flu’. A doctor has issued the guidance as she said it could be a sign of burnout, stress and dissatisfaction at work.
The term ‘Weekend Flu’ is used to describe employees who frequently take sick leave at the start or end of the week. Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and Medical Director at Selph, suggests that this pattern could be more than just laziness or dread of the working week.
What Is ‘Weekend Flu’?
The ‘Weekend Flu’ is what happens when employees frequently call in sick on Mondays or Fridays. Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and Medical Director at Selph, said: “People suffering from stress, burnout, or anxiety often find it harder to face work on a Monday morning. By the time Friday rolls around, they might be so mentally exhausted that they just need a break.”
So, why do so many people fall ill at these times? According to Dr. Merrifield, aside from mental health issues like anxiety, this trend could be linked to a toxic work environment or feeling unfulfilled in your job. She explains: “If someone is frequently calling in sick after the weekend or post-payday, it might indicate dissatisfaction at work”. But she says the solution is to offer “a compassionate conversation [that] could help uncover the root of the issue and address it before it becomes a bigger problem.”
What are the ‘weekend flu’ warning signs?
Dissatisfaction manifesting as illness – employees doing this can be a symptom of deeper workplace issues. Dr Merrifield shines a light on other indicators that should ring alarm bells for management. Be alert to spikes in sick days during especially demanding periods, an increase in sick days following holidays, or entire teams absent simultaneously; these can signify systemic issues within the organisation. “Employees who start taking sick leave out of the blue or during high-stress periods are often feeling overwhelmed by the workload or the culture of the workplace. Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to illness during busy times”, she adds.
I feel burnt out at work, what should I do?
What’s the answer if you think you’ve caught a case of the ‘Weekend Flu’? Employers need to create an environment where employees feel comfortable opening up about stress and burnout. Oliver Higenbottam, Managing Director of staff leave software Timetastic, recommends businesses need to start looking at the data to help spot trends before they become costly issues.
But for employees, if you’re finding yourself constantly battling the ‘Weekend Flu,’ it might be time to look at your work-life balance. Are you just sick of work? Or is something else making you dread the start of the week?
I’m struggling. Who can I contact for help?
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: [email protected] for a reply within 24 hours. You can also text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19.
If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill. These services will only share your information if they are very worried about you or think you are in immediate danger.
If you need immediate help, you can 111 and select the mental health option.