Will You Be Affected By The Post-Super Bowl ‘Flu’ That Leaves People Skipping Work? Here’s What To Know

The Super Bowl is practically an unofficial holiday. But the real drama happens the next morning when millions of Americans hit snooze, fake a cough, or vanish from work. Super Bowl Monday has become a nationwide productivity nightmare, and this year, it’s worse than ever. A record-breaking 22.6 million people are planning to ditch work, a whopping 40% jump from last year.

Whether you’re nursing a hangover, recovering from a heartbreak, or not in the mood, you’re definitely not alone.

Millions Are Ditching Work After Super Bowl LIX

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles battled for glory, but the real aftermath hit the office. According to The Harris Poll for The Workforce Institute:

• 12.9 million employees secured pre-approved leave.
• 4.8 million are swapping shifts to dodge work.
• 12.9 million will show up late.
• 2% of workers plan to ghost their jobs entirely.
• 36% admit they’ll be at work, but their productivity will be terrible.

New research reveals that over 22 million employees plan to skip work on the Monday following the Super Bowl—more than ever before 🏈🤯 pic.twitter.com/5MHZTrEw1D

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 7, 2025

Rachel Barger, president of Go-to-Market at UKG, says more employees are being upfront about their post-Super Bowl plans. “Both employees and managers are being more transparent about their plans. Businesses can plan ahead and avoid staffing nightmares,” she explains.

The Super Bowl’s Cultural Pull- And The Taylor Swift Effect

SB LIX isn’t just about football. The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing a historic three-peat, and Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce is drawing in millions of new viewers. A whopping 16.1 million Swifties plan to tune in, boosting viewership numbers.

A Productivity Disaster: The $3 Billion Hit

Hungover, sleep-deprived employees aren’t exactly high-performing. Research from NetVoucherCodes shows:

• Employees lose 25% of their work output due to hangovers.
• With an average daily wage of $222, businesses will lose a staggering $3 billion.
• 63% more sick days were requested after last year’s Super Bowl compared to an average February workday.
• 91% of sick day requests were approved- because no manager wants a half-asleep employee on duty.

Finance expert Rebecca Bebbington warns, “A hangover can impair your performance, making it harder to concentrate, solve problems, or make sound decisions.”

Also Read: Will NFL Remove The ‘End Racism’ Message From Super Bowl LIX?

Should Super Bowl Monday Be A National Holiday?

Every year, the same debate resurfaces: Should the Monday after the game be a national holiday? The idea is gaining traction, and some places are already making moves:

• Charles County, Maryland, has declared Super Bowl Monday an official holiday for county employees.
• Indiana lawmakers introduced a bill to create “American Professional Football Day.”
• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has floated the idea of extending the season by one game, pushing the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day weekend so fans would already have Monday off.

An estimated 22.6 million...