Nearly half of workers will pull a sickie in December – despite not really being ill.

A poll of 2,000 employed adults revealed Christmas parties, time spent celebrating the festive season with friends and family and sporting events are some of the most common reasons for these unscheduled absences.

With almost 50 per cent of workers admitting to pulling at least one sickie over the festive period because of it.

The research was commissioned by Fireball, which has partnered with the Professional Darts Corporation to launch the Sick Note Service ahead of the sport’s World Championship beginning on 15th December.

The service offers revellers the chance to secure specialised ‘sick notes’ from its top stars as the ultimate way to call in sick for work following a festive night of 'going for the double’ at Ally Pally or other holiday festivities.

Lorenzo Farronato, spokesperson for the shot brand said, “As holiday cheer fills the air it’s no surprise that the festive period is littered with fake sickies for those who celebrate a bit too late or a bit too enthusiastically.”