WASHINGTON — Sometimes the sheets are too soft and the pillows are too comfy in the morning. Should you call in sick? Only if you can come up with a good, believable excuse.
According to the latest CareerBuilder data, 40 percent of workers called in sick in the last year when they really weren’t, 5 percent more than the previous year. What ailed them?
Twenty-three percent of hard-workers just outright said they needed a sick day because they “didn’t feel like going to work.” Some of the other excuses presented were having a doctor’s appointment, needing to relax, needing more sleep, running errands, housework, or plans with friends and family.
Others almost got away with faking a cough over the phone until they decided to share pictures of their #selfcare shopping haul on Facebook. The survey found 43 percent of employers reporting that they caught the sick day lies on social media.
According to CareerBuilder, 28 percent of employers checked up on a sick worker and 26 percent have fired someone for finding out that their bedridden worker was actually just fine.
Maybe your boss takes you at your word, but sometimes that’s not even remotely possible.
What are some of the worst, most unbelievable excuses employers have heard?
- A bear was in employee’s yard and they were afraid to come out.
- Employee’s phone exploded and it hurt their hand.
- Employee ate a toothpick in his food at restaurant.
- Employee broke his arm wrestling a female bodybuilder.
- Employee called in “fat” because uniform didn’t fit.
- Dog swallowed employee’s car keys so she was waiting until they came out.
- Employee left his clothes at the laundry mat.
- Employee did not have enough gas to get to work.
- Employee had to reschedule a new manicure because some of their artificial nails fell off.
- Employee were not sure how the solar eclipse would affect them so it would be safer to stay at home.
