Bosses have been urged to crack down on sickies during Euro 2004.

Football fever has been blamed for a surge of workers calling in sick when they are perfectly healthy.

Croner Consulting has had a recent jump in the number of calls to its business support helplines from employers worried about how to discipline staff phoning in sick to watch the football, or because of a post-match hangover.

It is advising employers to get tough with skiving staff members.

HR Expert Richard Smith said: "Employers should remind staff of the company policy on absenteeism and stress that skiving will not be tolerated.

"Explain it is understandable that they may wish to celebrate the football season, but they should not let it interfere with their job.

"Often just a firm reminder is enough to make staff think twice before ringing in sick"

Updated: 09:49 Tuesday, June 22, 2004