CLAIMS that the country has become sick-note Britain because of the number of workers taking days off when they are not really ill were attacked as an "urban myth" by the Trade Union Congress.

The TUC said British workers were less likely to take short-term time off sick than workers in any other European country except Denmark.

Most employers accepted that their staff only took time off work when they were genuinely ill, the organisation said. A bigger problem was the high number of people who struggled into work when they were ill, spreading germs among colleagues and threatening long-term absence, the TUC claimed.

The report, titled Sicknote Britain, also claimed public sector employees took fewer days off ill than workers in private firms.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Sicknote Britain is an urban myth. We take less time off than most other countries, and public sector staff are less likely to take time off for a short-term illness.

"When employers complain of sicknote Britain, they are attacking some of Europe's most loyal employees.

"Those who've been trying to make cheap political points about getting tough with the 'work-shy spongers' are missing the point."

The TUC said employers who are serious about cutting sickness absences should improve the work-life balance and make the working week more flexible.