THERE has been a dramatic increase in skiving in North Yorkshire.

A new survey shows that 93 per cent of employees in the region openly admit to having "pulled a sickie".

That is a huge increase on the last survey by UK employment firm Peninsula in 1998, when 62 per cent of employees in North Yorkshire made the same admission.

The new figures also reveal that 92 per cent of the region's bosses are finding it increasingly difficult to certify genuine reasons for absence. That compares with 71 per cent seven years ago.

At the same time measures to prevent skiving appear not to be as tough as they were. Back in 1998, 60 per cent of employers said there were company rules. Now the figure is 54 per cent.

The data puzzles Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "Of course, no one could condone skiving, but one explanation might be that because our economy in North Yorkshire is so vibrant and employment levels are so high people feel more secure in their jobs than before.

"On the other hand it could be the result of the growing pressures in working life.

"Either way, people have to understand the importance of their roles within a business and it is in no one's interests to take time off without a proper reason."

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "The priority for employers is to be aware that this problem is milking their business and hundreds of businesses of thousands of pounds across North Yorkshire.

"It is not a problem which can be solved overnight. It is something which has to be implemented over time, with both strict policies for absence and disciplinary procedures for those who have a running tendency to be absent through skiving."

Updated: 10:09 Tuesday, July 05, 2005