A lanyard device (10) having a flexible neck cord (12) and at least one strain sensor (30) arranged for sensing strain in the flexible neck cord; and a personal lanyard monitoring system including the lanyard device (10). A position recognition unit (52) is configured for comparing strain data obtained from the at least one strain sensor (30) to predetermined strain data, and recognizing a position of the flexible neck cord (12) in dependence on a result of the comparison.