The £1.6bn cost of throwing that 'sickie'

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Bosses believe more than one in ten of the 175 million sick days taken in 2006 were "suspect", with staff faking illness to skive off.

More than two-thirds of bosses think workers regularly "throw a sickie" - costing the economy £1.6billion last year.

The most common trick by staff is to take a Monday or Friday, so they can enjoy a long weekend without losing holiday. Bosses also spotted a link between absence and major sporting events.

The report published by the CBI and insurance company Axa also shows public sector staff take more sick days than other workers - an average nine compared to 6.3 in the private sector.

Despite the high level of sick days, the average number across both sectors is lower than than it has been in the past. In 1991 staff took an average 9.1. This compares with an average of seven last year.

CBI director of human resources policy Susan Anderson said: "Unauthorised absence puts colleagues under unfair pressure."

The 175 million sick days taken in 2006 cost an estimated £13.4billion.