Unusual (and Crazy) Employee Excuses for Missing Work

We've all heard the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" tossed around on more than one occasion. But is that really the case? I think it's safe to say it's not for employers.

According to a recent survey from CareerBuilder, 3 out of 10 workers call in sick when they're not actually ill. These numbers also happen to increase around holiday season (surprise, surprise!). This makes December the most popular month to call in sick according to surveyed employers. Runner-up goes to July, with the second most number of people calling in sick.


Check out some of these outrageous excuses shared by real employers:

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​"My sobriety tool wouldn't allow the car to start"

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​"I forgot I was hired for the job"

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​"My dog is having a nervous breakdown"

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​"My grandmother's body is being exhumed for a police investigation"

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​"I'm too upset after watching The Hunger Games"

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​"I've gotten sick for reading too much"

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​"My hair turned orange after I dyed it at home"

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​"My toe is stuck in the faucet" 

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My personal favourite is "My toe is stuck in the faucet" (I don't even want to know how that one happened...). However, while these are all hilarious excuses, they also present a serious issue for employers.

Almost 30 percent of employers check up on their employees to verify that the illness is legitimate. This can be done by requiring a doctor’s note or even calling the employee later in the day to see how they are doing. Some employers have gone to more extreme measures to check up on employee with 18 percent having other employees call a suspected faker and 14 percent driving to the employee’s home. Statistics reveal that 17 percent of employers have fired employees for giving a fake excuse. (Source: CareerBuilder)

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Alternate work arrangements - the key to success?

With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about prevention. So what are some ways you can reduce unexpected employee absences in your workplace? Consider establishing an Alternate Work Arrangement program. This can help boost overall morale and even reduce employee absence.

There are several options when considering an alternate (or flexible) work arrangement:

1. Compressed Workweeks: an arrangement where employees can work longer hours in exchange    for a reduction in the number of working days in their work cycle. For example: a) Give employees the option of working an additional 45 minutes each day in the summer so they can have every second Friday off b) Every time there is a long weekend approaching, give employees the option of working     additional hours during the work week so they can have an extra long 4-day weekend.
2. Flexible hours: an arrangement where employees can have flexibility in the start and end times of their working day. For example: give employees the option to work from 10am to 6pm rather than the more traditional 8am to 4pm if it fits their personal or family schedule better.
3. Flexible work locations: an arrangement where employees can work remotely, either from their home or in a satellite office. (Source: HR Council)

These are just some of the most common alternate work arrangements. You can alter them in different circumstances to help employees balance their work, personal, and family responsibilities depending on the situation. By introducing more flexibility into the work week, you reduce the likelihood of hearing those ridiculous employee excuses listed above. Employees are happier, morale is lifted, and “I swallowed too much mouthwash” no longer needs to be used as an excuse to miss work.

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