Why isn’t the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday?

It’s the day after Super Bowl Sunday, otherwise known as National Hangover Day. Because, let’s face it—even if you have zero interest in football and can’t even remember who won the game, if you’re like many Americans, you probably at least went to a watch party. (If for nothing else than for the joy-bringing halftime show led by the one and only Bad Bunny.)

But if you’re feeling a little, er, off today. . .you’re far from alone. According to UKG’s annual Super Bowl Absenteeism Survey, an estimated 26.2 million U.S. employees were anticipated to stay home today. 

That means, that no matter who wins or loses the Super Bowl, the big loser on Super “Sick Monday” is the workplace. 

According to Amanda Augustine, resident career expert for TopResume and a Certified Professional Career Coach,  per a press release, employers should adjust to the anticipated lower attendance. “For many Americans, the Monday after the Super Bowl comes with a real post-game hangover, and I don’t just mean from the snacks and cocktails. It’s a mix of late nights, disrupted routines, and for some, a case of the post-game blues. 

Augustine continues, “Instead of forcing employees to power through, employers can get ahead of it by offering simple, creative support, like reminding staff about floating holidays, encouraging half-days for die-hard fans, or even providing small perks like breakfast or coffee to help people ease back into the work week.”

When it comes to who rallies and who stays home, there’s a gender divide. New data from TopResume found the men are far more likely to call in “sick” than women. In fact, 9.11% of men said they were already planning to stay home after this year’s Super Bowl. Only 3.37% of women said they’d take the day to rest.

Some age groups are more likely to suck it up and head to the office no matter how many Bud Heavies they housed while screaming at the TV and inhaling chicken wings. 

Only 13.08% of Gen X and 6.82% of Boomer workers say they have ever called in sick after Super Bowl celebrations. Likewise, only 3.49% of Gen Xers said they planned to do so this year and 1% of Boomer professionals said the same.

But when it comes to millennials, the group seems to take more liberties at work, at least when football is involved. More than one-fifth (21.17%) have called in sick after Super Bowl celebrations and 8.64% were planning to take the day off this year. 

Still, no one is more keen to call out than Gen Z, according to the data. More than one in four Gen Z workers (27.45%) say they have called in sick after Super Bowl Sunday. And 12.42% admit that they’ve done so more than once. This year, only 6.54% said they were already planning to stay home in advance. However, 18.3% said their decision would come down to how the night goes, according to the TopResume data.

We’re gonna go out on a limb and say there are a lot of people who are lowkey zonked today, working from the couch, or straight up not working. 

With all of the inevitable Hangover Monday absences happening today from coast to coast, the real question is really: why isn’t today a national holiday already?