Nissan workers used a colleague's test and trace 'ping' alert to get time off from the car manufacturer's plant in Sunderland.
A number of workers at the plant have been issued disciplinaries over the scam, Mirror Online reports.
Sources told the Mirror that a screenshot of a genuine self-isolation alert were passed around colleagues, who used the same message to claim they needed to quarantine at home.
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“Workers have been using other people’s screenshots to get time off work," a staff member told The Mirror.
“They sent their gaffer a screenshot from the Covid app that wasn’t even from their phone.”
Another added: “One lad was pinged in the pub to say he had to self-isolate.
“He sent the message to his line manager, it ended up being sent to another 59 employees at Nissan who wanted some time off.
“Nissan heard about this and they are furious.”
One source told the Mirror that the time off coincided with England matches on during Euro 2021.
Around 900 Nissan employees had to isolate at home last week, although only a "small number" of them are thought to have faked their 'ping' message, Nissan told the Mirror.
The Sunderland plant closed for its two-week shutdown on Friday July 23.
The company confirmed: “A small number of our staff have been disciplined after breaking Covid-19 rules”.
Nissan said production in some areas of its plant had to be “adjusted” because of reduced staffing levels.
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