Referred to as National Sickie Day in the U.K., the first Monday of each February holds the statistical distinction as the day when a significant number of workers are more likely to report illness, according to research initiated by British law firm ELAS in 2011. This trend is attributed to a combination of dreary weather, post-holiday melancholy, and prevalent seasonal illnesses. Notably, depression and anxiety tend to be more prevalent during the winter months. While the term 'sickie' suggests feigned illnesses, advocates for labor and mental health argue that the stigma surrounding mental health concerns often prompts individuals to cite other, seemingly more 'legitimate' illnesses as reasons for taking a day off.