Nearly a quarter of men have pulled a sickie from work in order to play computer games, says MyVoucherCodes.co.uk.
According to research by the discount code website just 46 percent of sick days taken by Brits are legitimate where the person believed they physically couldn't perform their work duties.
The website also said that 14 percent of men admitted to pulling a sickie on the day a high-profile video game such as Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty is released, in order to be one of the first to play the game.
Myvouchercodes said just 5 percent of women had called in sick in order to play computer games. Instead one if five women preferred to use a sick day to go shopping.
"The sickie is a time-honoured employment tradition, and although employers, including myself, wouldn't be happy to know that our workers are faking a cold in order to play the latest PS3 or Xbox 360 hit, you've got to admire their dedication to their interest!," said Mark Pearson, managing director of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk.
"Whatever the reason people decide not to go into work despite being fully capable, sickies cost the UK economy a shedload of money. Perhaps the government could look to recoup lost revenue from games developers and fashion outlets," joked Pearson.