Employers Fear St. Patrick's Day Will Kill Workplace Productivity

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We've told you about the most unusual excuses workers have had for calling in sick and coming in late to work, but it looks like we've stumbled upon a new one. Post-holiday hangovers.

According to a recent survey from Irish human resources consultancy Peninsula Ireland, nearly a third of employers there expect that some of their staff will call in sick this Friday, due to hangovers caused by enthusiastic drinking during St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Almost all of the 626 employers surveyed (94 percent) fear that productivity will decline on March 18.

"St Patrick's Day is a huge celebration for the people of Ireland, but for many bosses the following day is one of lost productivity, something they could do without in the current economic climate," Alan Price, managing director of Peninsula Ireland, said in a statement. "With the following day being a Friday, many employees will be looking to pull a sickie in order to have a long weekend to get rid of their heavy hangovers."

Price went on to say that employees who do so should be disciplined in the same way they would be any other day. (As much as we love the term "sickie," we must agree with Price on this one.)

Workers in the patron saint's native land aren't the only ones who will be tempted into over-consumption though. New York City is celebrating the 250 anniversary of its St. Patrick's Day parade, Boston has more than 100 Irish pubs in its vicinity, and it's been reported that bars in Phoenix and elsewhere will be opening as early as 6AM on March 17, presenting plenty of opportunity for bad decisions on this side of the pond as well.

While we won't be a total buzz kill and suggest you skip the green beer altogether, if you do plan to partake in St. Patty's parties, we do recommend moderation and keeping the following in the back of your mind: According to CareerBuilder's latest survey on calling in sick to work, 70 percent of employers require a doctor's note from "sick" employees, 29 percent check up on employees who call out of work and 16 percent said that they've fired an employee for calling in sick without a proven or valid excuse.