Workers Get Creative With Excuses To Skip Work
Posted: 8:51 a.m. EST January 28, 2004
So, you want the day off. Do you fake a
hoarse-sounding voice and call in sick?
Maybe you just take a
so-called mental-health day. Some workers are a lot more creative
in their excuses for not going to work.
The temp-staffing agency
Accountemps surveyed executives from some of the biggest U.S.
companies on the strange reasons workers have given for not coming
in.
Executives were asked, "What are the most unusual reasons you have heard for why employees request time off?" The responses included the following:
"I need time to find myself"
"I need a day off because it's supposed to snow"
"My cat has hairballs"
"The pool is broken"
"I have plastic surgery scheduled"
"I'm going to jail"
"My garage door is broken"
"I need three weeks off to travel Europe. Starting tomorrow."
Personal hobbies are another popular reason for missing work:
"I'm taking three days off to sing in the opera!"
"I'm going to be in a kick-boxing contest"
"Our church is having a bus trip"
"My partner and I need to practice for the square-dancing contest in town today"
There are some explanations employees should use only if they're accompanied by a letter of resignation:
"I'm taking a few days off to start my own business"
"I'll be out this afternoon on job interviews"
"I need a leave of absence to try another job. But if it doesn't work out I'd like to come back"
Discussion: Your Best Lie?
Discussion: Your Best Lie?
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