11 Best Excuses to get out of work with Examples
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When you work remotely, there are far fewer reasons to miss a day, But there are times when it happens. Certainly, if someone in your family has actually died, it’s not an excuse but a valid issue to talk to your boss about and ask for time off. But don’t lie about someone’s death – that’s just horrible and wrong on many levels. Be simple and brief, because sometimes reasons to call out of work the more details you provide, the more complicated and unrealistic your excuse sounds. Avoid giving too much information because employers generally believe that people who lie want to validate their absence with many details. Parents have to deal with ensuring their children are cared for during the day before they can get themselves to the office.
- Home emergencies can come out of nowhere, leaving you with few options.
- Some companies may want a doctor’s note or, in the case of COVID-19, a negative test.
- On top of that, be honest, and remember that lies can jeopardize your career.
- Most importantly, when missing work, you’re going to want to make a plan for how the work you missed will get done.
- If you tell your boss that you are too tired to come to work, you may sound like you are being lazy or that you don’t enjoy your job.
So, if you are thinking about taking time off to search for a new job or just lying in bed, check the above 12 excuses to find the right one for your occasion. While the above excuses are generally rather bad, you can still get away with them. However, there are excuses real people have used but which define any sense and sensibility. These excuses are not bad in the “you’re just lazy”-kind of way, but they are so unbelievable that your boss probably won’t know how to react. Everyone will wake up at times and feel like they are tired. Some mornings going to work just seems the last thing you want to do. But you shouldn’t use tiredness as an excuse because many people will be showing up despite feeling the same.
You’re taking vacation…
That applies even if your employer hasn’t exempted other employees from coming in. The survey also asked 1,000 non-executive employees about which conditions they were most likely to lie to their boss about. Workers suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and stress were most likely to withhold the truth from their managers. The survey found that flu is the most widely accepted excuse for staying home, although just about 42 percent of bosses thought it was necessary to do so. Next up were back pains, accident-related injuries, and stress. A recent survey found the top 10 excuses for staying home—and what bosses actually think of them. You also need to stay confident when making the call or sending the e-mail (calling is better!).
What is the best excuse to miss work?
- Car (or Other) Accident. Accidents are unexpected events and usually qualify as legitimate requests for sudden leave, especially if serious injuries are involved.
- Death of a Loved One.
- Personal Illness.
- Child's Illness.
- Emergency.
- Car Problems.
- Medical Appointments.
- Miscellaneous Absences.
They understand you’ll need to take time off from work to attend and/or plan the funeral. When a death occurs, it’s important to let your boss know immediately so they can arrange coverage in your absence. Check your employer’s official policy to see how much time off is allowed for bereavement.
Unexpected Circumstances
But telling your boss you need some time at the spa is not always a good idea. Coming up with an excuse can be the only way and there are differences in what makes an excuse good and outright laughable. You don’t have to explain the depths of your sickness, for example. If your boss isn’t buying the reason, they’ll ask questions. Whatever your actual reason and whatever excuses you decide to use, there are a few ways to make the excuse sound better. With these simple four steps, you can guarantee your boss doesn’t start quizzing you more about the reason and you won’t put your career in jeopardy. Bad excuses are also a little lacking in terms of the explanation.
- Then you can always suggest working remotely until you feel well enough to return to work in the office.
- However, it shouldn’t be due to a lame excuse that doesn’t make sense professionally.
- In the United States, the absence rate is near 3 percent.
- Every extra minute of notice you can offer is worth giving, especially if the company is going to have to find someone to cover your shift.
- Even if you’re unharmed, you still have to deal with your insurance company and car repairs, so you need time to get these details worked out.
- However, if you simply got to bed late or are feeling groggy, that’s not a valid or professional reason for missing work.
If you have a child, you know how challenging being a working parent is. Many unexpected situations arise, and you have no choice but to adapt quickly. While your childcare arrangements might cover things most of the time, you might suddenly encounter problems when you cannot utilize your usual arrangements. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees with a disability. Unfortunately, some employers have had no choice but to furlough or terminate employees due to the enormous financial implications that COVID-19 has had on businesses.