10 fake excuses for calling in sick
CareerBuilderGulf.com
It's 6 a.m. and you are about to throw the alarm clock out the
window. It's too cold out, you're tired, you had one too many in the
pub last night, you've really got to clean your flat, and, most
importantly, you haven't had much time to watch your favourite TV show
recently.
"Just throw a sickie," you tell yourself. "They can get
by for one day without me." So, in your best sick voice, you leave a
near-death sounding message for your boss and throw in a cough just to
make it believable.
The art of deception
CareerBuilder.co.uk recently took a look at employees who call in
sick with bogus excuses. 26 per cent of UK workers pulled at least one
sickie last year.
The most popular reason for missing work: "just
didn't feel like going into work", according to 16 percent of workers.
13 per cent had a job interview lined up and 12 per cent wanted to
catch up with housework or just to relax. Seven per cent said they
wanted to avoid a client or colleague and six per cent to dodge the
wrath of a boss. Six per cent called in because of bad weather or they
had plans with friends or family.
"Smaller staffs, increased
workloads and longer hours are byproducts of a dampened economy," said
Jason Ferrara, Senior Career Advisor for CareerBuilder. "We see more
employers today expanding the definition of sick time for workers who
need a day off to recharge, so your best bet is to be honest with your
boss."
Your boss is no fool.
However, there was evidence that some employers are taking a tough line
with those feigning illness. The survey revealed that some recruiting
managers were less tolerant of workers pulling a sickie, with almost 30
percent stating they fired an employee for missing work without a
legitimate reason. While the definition of a sick day has evolved, with
more employers including mental health and special circumstances in the
description, workers should be mindful of company policies and their
responsibilities as an employee.
"I was abducted by aliens..."
The survey of 480 workers and 250 employers also found staff were not
averse to using desperate or far-fetched reasons to bunk off.
When
asked to share the most unusual excuses employees gave for missing
work, employers offered the following real-life examples:
- My glass eye fell out and I can't find it.
- My body needs to adjust to the climate change.
- My bed broke and I'm trapped under it.
- I rode my bike into a lamppost.
- I had some bad beer.
- My toenails are too long for shoes and I couldn't find a clipper.
- I forgot to buy an alarm clock.
- My house won't let me out, I'm locked in.
- My sink is blocked.
- I got pepper in my eye.
Last Updated: 30/04/2010 - 6:23 AM
