New research has shown the best and worst excuses for missing work.

A theory that many have proven in practice has now been borne out in data – excuses involving unappealing bodily functions work the best.

UK healthcare provider Benenden surveyed 2,500 employers and employees to discover that vomiting was the most easily-accepted reason for a day off (73 per cent), followed by diarrhoea (71 per cent).

Around two-thirds of bosses consider the ‘flu to be a valid reason, while a generic “sick bug” was found to be effective 53.2 per cent of the time.

On the other end of the scale - just ten per cent accepted a ‘head cold’ as worthy of a day off.

Stress was only accepted in 19 per cent of cases, and mental health issues were a valid excuse for a mere 17 per cent of bosses.

Bizarrely, both of these ranked higher than hospitalisation as a reason not to turn up.

Some workers may even be lucky enough to work for the 6 per cent of bosses that thought being ‘under the weather’ (with no specific symptoms or ailments) was worthy of a sick day.

The study found that women were more likely to call in sick than men, and that absenteeism was more frequent among people aged 18 to 35.

Other studies looking at Australian workers have found that the practice of ‘chucking a sickie’ for any number of dubious reasons is becoming a real cultural tradition.

A survey by absence-management firm Direct Health Solutions has surprisingly found that absenteeism is currently at its lowest level since the global financial crisis (GFC).

The average worker currently takes 8.6 days of sick leave per year, down 7 per cent from the time of the GFC.

Every work day, about 300,000 Australians stay home.

Absenteeism today costs the nation $32.5 billion per year in lost wages and productivity.