A new survey from staffing firm OfficeTeam may just "bowl" you over. According to 72 percent of HR managers, the day after the professional football championship game should be a paid national holiday from work. That may not be a bad idea considering more than one-quarter of employees (27 percent) admitted they've called in sick or made an excuse for skipping work following a major sporting event, such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals or World Series. Nearly one-third of professionals (32 percent) have been tardy to the office the day after watching a big game.

HR managers were asked, "On the day after which of the following major events, if it were on a weekday, would you most like to see a paid national holiday from work?" Their responses:

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

"There's understandably a lot of excitement both in and out of the office surrounding major sporting events," said Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTeam. "It's not always practical for organizations to give employees the day off after a big game, but allowing a little leeway in the morning could help. Companies can also organize activities beforehand to capitalize on the enthusiasm and build camaraderie."

Britton added, "All professionals need opportunities to relax and recharge. To keep projects on track during popular events, employers should ask staff to make time-off requests early if they want to enjoy a game and bring in interim workers for absences."

Additional findings:

• Employees ages 18 to 34 (40 percent) and males (36 percent) have most frequently called in sick or made an excuse for skipping work after a major sporting event. Sixteen percent of women have done so.

• Workers ages 18 to 34 (44 percent) and men (42 percent) were also most commonly late to the office the day following a big game. That compares to 20 percent of females.

• Professionals claim they spend only 27 minutes each workday on sports-related activities, such as talking to colleagues and participating in informal competitions, before a popular event. Of all respondent groups, male employees and those ages 18 to 34 are most preoccupied by sports at the office (37 minutes and 35 minutes per day, respectively). Women average 15 minutes a day.