The excitement surrounding the Super Bowl isn’t just about the game itself; it’s also spreading to workplaces across the U.S.
According to a recent survey, employees are gearing up for a record-breaking Monday after Super Bowl LIX, with around 22.6 million Americans planning to skip work.
This marks a significant jump from last year’s 16.1 million absences and breaks the previous record of 8.8 million from the 2023 match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, reported UKG via Business Wire.
An additional 12.9 million workers admit they might stroll into the office late the day after the big game. Unsurprisingly, 43% of Americans believe that the Monday following the Super Bowl should be a national holiday — up from 37% last year.
So, what’s the game plan for those playing hooky?
The survey reveals some clever strategies. Over 3.2 million folks plan to call in sick even if they’re feeling fine, while another 3.2 million might choose to simply “ghost” their employers altogether. However, many are taking the more honest route: roughly 12.9 million will take a pre-approved day off, and 4.8 million are coordinating with co-workers to swap shifts.
While the anticipated absenteeism is high, there’s also a noticeable shift towards transparency in communication. The survey finds that 68% of employees now discuss time-off requests with their managers beforehand, compared to 62% last year. Managers are getting in on the action, too — 58% of them plan to directly ask their teams about their Super Bowl plans, up from 51% last year.
Despite many folks planning to miss work, productivity could be a concern. On Super Bowl Sunday, around 17.7 million employees will still be working, albeit with one eye on the game. And guess what? About 40% of those who will be watching the game admit they might be distracted on that post-game Monday. In fact, 36% of employees anticipate being less productive than usual.
With all this in the mix, it’s no wonder there’s an ongoing debate about making the Monday after the Super Bowl an official holiday.