Skip to main content

Workers told 1.4 billion lies last year, and that’s the truth

Jan 06 2005 by Nic Paton
Print This Article

UK workers are great big fibbers – at least if you believe a report by an internet gaming firm.

The study by Cyberslotz.co.uk found UK workers told more than 1.4 billion lies to their bosses last year, with more than two thirds - 68 per cent - admitting to lying at least once a week.

The most common lies were pretending to be sick and lying about why you have arrived late for work.

Nearly four out of 10 used old chestnuts such as “the train was cancelled" or “the car wouldn’t start” or even that a family pet had died.

But workers claimed they were often put in an invidious position by their bosses wanting to know about their private lives.

A third, for instance, claimed they would blatantly lie to their boss if asked “what did you do last night?”.

Other common lies included covering about the fact they had drunk too much after work, having an occasional flutter, having a fling with a work colleague, being in an open relationship, losing their driving licence or, thankfully least frequently, being arrested.

Latest book reviews

MORE BOOK REVIEWS

Super Adaptability: How to Transcend in an Age of Overwhelm

Super Adaptability: How to Transcend in an Age of Overwhelm

Max McKeown

Max Mckeown's heavyweight new book draws from neuroscience, psychology and cultural evolution to develop a practical framework for human adaptability. It might also help you move from paralysis into abundance

Lead Like Julius Caesar

Lead Like Julius Caesar

Paul Vanderbroeck

What can Julius Caesar's imperfect story - his spectacular failures as well as his success - tell us about contemporary leadership challenges?

Relationship Currency

Relationship Currency

Ravi Rajani

In an era where AI can draft emails and manage our schedules, 'Relationship Currency' is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in genuine human connection.