The Lionesses are in yet another major final this weekend – their third in a row – and fans are gearing up for the celebrations.

Data released today by BrightHR, the HR software experts, shows that over 70,000 people have already booked time off for Monday 28 July, the day after the final of the Women’s Euros. That makes it the most popular Monday for planned time off this summer, up 16% on the average for the rest of June and July.

Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, says “When football fever sweeps the country, employers are often the ones left with a hangover, trying to manage as staff call out sick in their thousands. So, it’s great to see that fans are more organised this time round.

“The success of the Lionesses in recent years has, I’m sure, played a big part as people look forward to having something to celebrate. Many people mention ‘it’s coming home’ or ‘just in case’ when booking their annual leave; one person even said ‘It’s not coming home is it’ but took the day off anyway.

“From ‘urgent family matters’ to ’24-hour sickness bug’ to mystery illnesses, we always see a flood of creative reasons to dodge work the day after a major football final. Some even resort to downright honesty, saying ‘I’m hungover’. With pubs staying open until 1am it’s clear that many are planning to continue the celebrations well after the final whistle goes.

“There will, of course, be genuine sickness absences the day after the big match so employers should never assume that everyone is taking a sickie. If they have genuine cause to think the sickness absence is not genuine, they can investigate and potentially even take disciplinary action.

“Win or lose on Sunday, when employees plan ahead with their absence requests rather than calling in sick last minute, it’s employers who are the big winners.”