As Maltese workers get busy begging their bosses for last-minute holiday leave, a new Skyscanner survey has revealed one in four Brits have lied to their boss in order to get their leave approved.

The Skyscanner poll of over 1,000 workers showed that over a third (39 per cent) book time off more than six months in advance in a bid to get the dates they wanted above their colleagues. As a result, almost a quarter (24 per cent) are resorting to underhand tactics to also get their time off approved.

Of the tactics employed, 12 per cent have lied to their colleagues, claiming that their leave dates were already booked, while seven per cent ‘pulled a sickie’ claiming to their employers that they were ill when in fact they were on holiday.

Further desperate attempts for time off include four per cent who have faked a family emergency, and one per cent who have even pretended that their holiday was actually their honeymoon, to trump other colleagues’ requests for time off that week.

Other deceitful tactics to secure holiday time off included: ‘claiming I was snowed in’ (not a good excuse to try in Malta!), ‘saying I had a funeral of a close friend’ and ‘eating a handful of shampoo so I’d be sick in the office.’

Sam Poullain, Skyscanner spokesman commented: “With many companies prohibiting staff from taking leave at the same time, people can go to surprising lengths to ensure they get their holiday leave when they want it. Our survey reveals that there are many of us who are willing to be quite ruthless in the battle with their colleagues for time off.”

Employees’ tactics

• Booked time off more than six months in advance (39 per cent)
• Lied and told colleagues holiday time was already booked (12 per cent)
• Called into work sick (seven per cent)
• Pretended a family member was sick (four per cent)
• Pretended it was for a honeymoon (one per cent)