Six Outrageous Excuses for Calling in Sick
Phoning It In
32% of workers have called in sick during the past year when they weren’t actually ill.
Stored Time
30% have gone to work despite being sick in order to “save” that sick leave for when they’re feeling well.
What Employees Do When “Faking It”
Relax: 28%, Catch up on sleep: 19%, Run errands: 14%
Cracking Down
30% of employers say they’ve checked in on employees who call in sick, to make sure they’re telling the truth—and 16% say they’ve fired staffers for faking it.
Top Ways to Check Up on Employees Who Call in Sick
Require a doctor’s note: 64%, Call the employee at home: 48%, Check the employee’s social media posts: 19%, Have another staffer call the employee: 17%, Drive past the employee’s house: 15%
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Fanatical Fan
An employee’s favorite football team lost on Sunday, so he said he needed Monday to recover.
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Home Detention
A worker said she couldn’t leave the house because someone glued her doors and windows shut.
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Dysfunction Junction
An employee got lost driving to work and ended up in another state.
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Busy Bees
A staffer said a swarm of bees was surrounding his vehicle, so he couldn’t make it in.
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Tongue-Tied
An employee couldn’t work because she bit her tongue and was unable to talk.
Outrageous “Sick” Excuses: Fashion Statement
An employee failed to show up at work because she couldn’t decide what to wear.
