A very merry Christmas. Weeks of staff sickies ahead

For some estate and lettings agents, Christmas is just a bit too merry and new research shows that the next few weeks, as we count down until Christmas Day, will be full of employees calling in with the infamous _dodgy tummy_.

To give you an illustration of what lies ahead, tech start-up company The Attest spoke to 1,000 workers to gauge their attitude to sickies, and found that the six weeks before Christmas will see workers call in sick more frequently than at any other point during the year. The research also questioned people about the most popular sickie scenario. This turns out to be contacting the office at 6.38am on a Tuesday morning with _stomach problems_ (funny enough, Tuesday mornings are the most likely time an estate agents office will divert their calls to a call answering service such as Moneypenny ).

A higher consumption of alcohol and late nights are attributed to the trend, with hangovers one of the top reasons for not showing up for work. It_s also thought more frequent partying than usual leaves people run down and more susceptible to colds and exhaustion, leaving them choosing the duvet over professional duties.

As well as sickies through self-induced stupors, it_s worth remembering some staff will be genuinely ill with flu or other seasonal illnesses, while others may call in _sick_ so they can go midweek Christmas shopping or see their children in a nativity play.

The festive season can put enormous strain on resources, especially for letting agents and property managers who may have granted genuine annual leave for some staff in December. Add in a few _sickies_ and you_ve got a really under-resourced department just as winter really bites _ with boilers breaking down, pipes frozen solid to busting point and fence panels flying around back gardens.

Now is the time to pre-empt the panic by looking after staff. Keep a supply of cold remedies in the kitchen, stock up on soft tissues, create a rota of _late starts_ so everyone gets a lie in once a week and perhaps grant each team member a _duvet day_ in December so they have a _bonus_ scheduled day off to do as they please. Or if all else fails, consider outsourcing administration and property management duties. A third-party provider will have strength in numbers so they_re never affected by sick leave and will provide a professional round-the-clock service to help you cope in the run up to Christmas (and at all times during the year).

ARPM

Simon Duce is the Founder and Managing Director of ARPM Outsourced Lettings Support - a business designed to help small and start-up letting agents/property managers offer a full suite of property management and tenancy administration services through outsourcing.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Enhancing Project Presentation with 3D Rendering Services

Imagine pitching a luxury hotel to investors using only blueprints and mood boards. They nod politely, squint at technical drawings, and promise to “think about it.” Now picture showing them a photorealistic walkthrough where sunlight streams through the lobby’s glass atrium, shadows dance across Italian marble floors, and they can virtually stand on the rooftop…
Read More
Breaking News

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England, but threat of new property tax removed from 210,000 homes   House prices in London and the South recorded their first fall in 18 months, driven by budget uncertainty and more homes for sale, boosting choice for home buyers. UK-wide buyer demand…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove trialling new Renovation Cost Estimator

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, is trialling a new renovation tool with home-movers, designed to help buyers understand the potential renovation costs of a property. The new ‘Renovation Cost Estimator’ tool encourages home-movers to spend more time considering the renovation potential of homes listed on Rightmove. It aims to provide agents with more high-intent…
Read More
Breaking News

Strong rental supply continues amid seasonal slowdown in demand

Rental supply remained resilient in October, continuing the strong trend seen throughout 2025. Overall, year-to-date figures show new listings up 10% compared with last year, highlighting a sustained improvement in market supply. Average rents edged down by 3% in October 2025 compared with September 2025, settling at £575 per week. This slight dip aligns with…
Read More
Home and Living

Why Choose Wooden Blinds for Your Home?

When it comes to selecting the right window treatments for your home, wooden blinds have long been a popular choice for many homeowners. They not only offer a classic and timeless aesthetic but also provide practical benefits such as durability, versatility, and eco-friendliness. If you’re looking for window coverings that combine style with functionality, wooden…
Read More
Breaking News

Falling rates and rising wages ease first-time buyer challenge

Typical first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings – the lowest ratio since 2015 Average monthly mortgage payment is now £1,087 – around £259 less than renting Inverclyde in Scotland is the most affordable location in Britain, Kensington and Chelsea in London the least affordable Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Lloyds: “Lower mortgage…
Read More