A software programme has been launched to help businesses spot staff who take fake sick days.
Sick days cost the British economy more than £12 billion a year, £1.7 billion of which is estimated to be the result of people pretending to be ill.
A survey of 600 small and medium sized firms says two-thirds of companies think this problem is worst on a Monday, whilst 23% claimed the problem peaked on a Friday, according to Employment Law Advisory Services (ELAS).
The group has created a software programme called Employersafe which spots which workers are taking a lot of time off sick, as well as those whose patterns of illness are a cause for concern.
Pam Rogerson, head of personnel at ELAS, said: "While managers might have a good idea which staff suffer from Long Weekend Syndrome, few have the time to go through their records and count exactly when they are off sick.
"Employersafe does that for them, spotting patterns such as only ringing in sick on a Monday or always falling ill after a bank holiday, for example."
The software, which has been designed by lawyers, also helps companies keep on top of employment law issues.
It flags up issues as they arise, such as maternity rights for a worker who is due to go on maternity leave, and also offers step by step guidance to companies going through disciplinary procedures or renewing contracts.
