Life can be a whirlwind, and sometimes, the daily grind at work can feel overwhelming. While work is your responsibility, everyone deserves a breather now and then. But finding the perfect excuse to escape work without ruffling feathers can be a tricky endeavor.
One Redditor asked, “What’s an excuse to get out of work that no one can get mad at?” This thread received thousands of comments as users jumped in to share their views, and we have compiled the top 20 excuses for you.
1. Disabilities
Someone wrote, ““But they’re not in a wheelchair. I can’t see their disability, so therefore it’s fake.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I’m not THAT disabled, but for a few years, I looked it, and believe me, I could get out of anything.”
Someone else replied, “I’m a disabled veteran. I have permanently damaged my lungs from a lung infection I had in the field that I couldn’t receive immediate treatment for. Even mild activity can leave me gasping for air, I don’t have asthma, but I can’t go anywhere without an inhaler.”
Now, it’s essential to be mindful and respectful about this stuff. Disabilities aren’t something to play around with or pretend to have for the sake of a free pass. People who really live with disabilities face challenges every day that most of us can’t even imagine.
2. Diabetes
Now, don’t go thinking we’re pulling a fast one here or turning a serious thing into a joke. Nope, we’re talking about those times when diabetes decides to mess with your vibe, and you need a break.
This person shared, “Had a co-worker who had severe diabetes. One day, he left work early, saying he wasn’t feeling well. Another co-worker threw a huge hissy fit about it. The hissy fit about him faking an illness carried over to the next morning when we didn’t see him.”
Another added, “Had a guy who had diabetes, said he wasn’t feeling well and was going home. Little Mexican boss started yelling and cursing at him. He left and took a whole week off. Came back in with a note from the hospital, idk what it said. But my former boss didn’t yell at him again when he said he didn’t feel well.”
3. Dying
One user said, “Had a coworker that started feeling ill, asked to go home, collapsed in the parking lot before he made it to his car. Died right there. It was devastating cause he was such a great dude.”
Another commented, “This almost happened to a coworker of mine. I came in to work, and she was draped over the breading bin (breading was for fried chicken, this was a deli). I’m like, what the heck? She’s like I’m fine, I just don’t feel good but it’ll pass. It did not pass. I went to the manager and told him she was sick and needed to go home. He gave no hecks.
She worked her whole shift, went to leave, and collapsed as she was getting in her car. For the life of me, I can’t remember what was wrong with her, but she ended up in the hospital and had to have surgery. Why? Why push it that far? Do you think dying for a retail job is impressive? IT’S NOT. Take care of yourself and the managers that think everyone is a lazy piece of c**p.”
Sometimes, you can believe your co-workers when they tell you something is not right!
4. Inform Beforehand
Let’s get real here- most workplaces these days aren’t run by robots. They get that life’s a rollercoaster, and sometimes, you have to take a break. So, instead of springing it on them last minute, you should tell them about your leave beforehand.
Someone wrote, “As a manager as long as you let me know that you aren’t going to be able to work then we’re good. If you just don’t show up that’s a different story”
Another person pitched in to say, “Same. In fact, I push back if they try to give details- it’s a job not prison, if you’re here you’re here, if you aren’t, you aren’t. I always just ask that everyone please tell me ASAP once they know they can’t make it so I can plan around it. But with that being said, the excessive lying is what hurts me, just plain disrespectful.”
5. Skunk’s Spray
This person shared, “I got sprayed by a skunk. I tried to go to work after showering with Dawn dish soap, but my boss told me to go home. So I’d say getting sprayed by a skunk.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I called into work for getting sprayed by a skunk last week! My hair smelled bad the next day, and I was too paranoid to go to work so I worked from home.”
Who wouldn’t understand that you’re dealing with a situation where your nose is at a crime scene and tomato juice becomes your battle buddy?
6. Diarrhea
One user said, “”I pooped my pants.” Absolutely, 100%, understand. See you tomorrow.”
Another added, “I worked construction, and in two separate instances on two different crews, someone said they pooped their pants. Nobody questioned it, and they left. I do believe they did poop their pants tho so you have to commit.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “I’ve seen how my friends in construction eat. Three monster energy drinks, gas station lunch, dip in most of the day, etc., couple that with bending over and moving around all day…I’d believe without a doubt that every now and again, a little seepage will happen.”
If you’re using the diarrhea card, make sure it’s not just a plot to avoid your responsibilities and binge-watch shows.
7. Pets
Work’s important, but taking time to heal and remember your furry friend(real or fake) is equally vital.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “In construction, dog dying. People will even give you presents when you get back.”
Another person pitched in to say, “My pets have died and have been sick soo many times. Fun fact: I don’t have any pets. Just show my neighbors’ cats and dogs and birds when my coworkers ask to see.”
8. Scurvy
We’re talking about a situation that’s like a page out of history’s quirkiest health problems. Who’s going to scoff at you when you’re dealing with a deficiency that would make Blackbeard raise an eyebrow?
A user said, “I called in to work and said I had scurvy. A couple of hours later, an FTD florist delivered a bonzi lemon tree from my boss.”
Another commented, “Most people don’t really know how to deal with it, so they just give you a day off.”
9. Mental Break
A Reddit user wrote, “In the UK, I’ve been told you can call up and just say “I’m taking a mental health day” and there’s nothing the employer can legally do about it.”
Someone else replied, “If your company is cool enough and, as you say, your attendance is near perfect, you can just ring up, effectively say “Yea, I’m just not feeling it today; I’m having today off as a mental health day, I’ll be back tomorrow,” and they should just be like, “all right great, relax, and we’ll see you tomorrow”.”
Work’s a puzzle piece, but so is your well-being- and sometimes, your mind needs a timeout to put itself back together.
10. Kids
Think about it: if you had a coworker who said they were staying home because they needed a “mental health day,” you’d probably hear some eye rolls or stifled snickers. But switch that script to “My kid’s got a fever,” and suddenly, everyone’s all empathy and sympathy.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Something wrong with your kid. I’ve honestly thought about making up a kid just so I have an airtight excuse to cut out as often as my parent coworkers do.”
Another added, “Do it. I use my kids to get out of trouble all the time (not just work-related). And they’re both in school, which are often hotbeds of illness, lol. Timmy doesn’t feel good, gotta stay home…. and I got 2 kids, so double the fun lol.”
11. COVID
Ever heard of the “I’ve got COVID” escape plan from work? Yeah, we know it sounds wild, but apparently, it’s a thing. One user said, “Where I’m at, Covid is still a mandatory out until a negative test.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “Same, even a cold, now you can’t trust it. We are back in work 2 days a week, the finance department all went to pub lunch in the same car and every single one of them tested positive a couple of days later. One of them didn’t realize she had it, obviously, lol.”
12. Being Sick
Someone wrote, ““I’m sick” You don’t need more detail than that.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “Yep. I tell my staff that’s all they have to tell. It’s up to them if they’d like to share more, but it’s really none of my business why they need off or how sick they are.”
But wait a minute- this isn’t an invitation to skip work whenever you’re feeling a little sluggish. It’s about using the “being sick” excuse when you’re genuinely not up for the task.
13. Faking Someone’s Death
michaeljung via DepositPhotos.com.
A user shared, “Faking someone’s death people will always work. I think my poor grandma died a dozen times.”
Another added, “Yep. I’ve used “grandma dying” a million times to get out of various things. It’s never been true though, cause she died before I was born.”
Have you ever used this excuse to get out of work?
14. Stomach Bug
A Reddit user wrote, “Stomach bug is the best. You don’t get a doctor’s note for it, gone quickly, and people do NOT want you spreading it.”
Another commented, “Yeah, it’s my go-to if I need a day off. “Spent the night going from my bed to the bathroom for my stomach bug, not feeling well.” I use it 3-4 times a year when I need a me day.”
The beauty of the stomach bug excuse is that no one can possibly be mad at you. Seriously, who’s going to be like, “Dude, you’re faking having the runs?”
15. Fun Excuses
This person shared, “Worked on a construction crew at one time with this one colorful character that just couldn’t get out of bed and to work on time but could do the work of two when he was on the job. He always had the most entertaining excuses for missing work that no one could be mad at him.”
Someone else replied, “had a similar coworker who randomly said: “Ran over a rabbit and had to return home to put it in the freezer.” “Scored some weed that was so good I forgot what day it was.” And the coup de grace…”Woke up with my face in my girlfriend’s armpit and was afraid to open my eyes.””
And the best part? No one can get mad at you for trying to bring a smile to their faces. Life’s too short to be all serious and work-oriented. A little laughter never hurts anyone!
16. Endometriosis
Now, dealing with endometriosis is like being in a never-ending battle. You’ve got to face the pain, the unpredictable periods, and sometimes even surgery to evict those sneaky uterine squatters!
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Endometriosis. If anyone dares to question me, I describe in vivid detail how my mother had to have masses of clotted blood and tissue cut away from her internal organs with a scalpel because of it. People don’t tend to stand their ground after that.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I knew a girl in high school that had it. She’d regularly bring in doctors’ notes so that she didn’t have to participate in gym class when it was her time of the month. Unfortunately, our gym teacher was just a jerk. She didn’t believe the doctor’s notes and repeatedly accused her of faking them.
The one time she yelled at her to go to the principal’s office to get it verified or whatever, and while they left the room, you could hear her yelling at her, “I’m so sick of dealing with you!” Not everyone would say it, but I think everyone hated that teacher. At least all her students. She was ridiculous.
She did other things like get mad at students for saying they can’t do ___ . She’d be like, “I know people in wheelchairs that don’t have any problem with doing ___ !” Ugh, -_-“
17. Migraine
A migraine is a get-out-of-work card that’s universally accepted. One user said, “Everyone gets migraines. no problem using that excuse #works every time.”
Another added, “I get cluster headaches, so I agree! Ain’t no one working a job when one of those starts it’s more painful than childbirth! I usually hop in my tub at home, get in the fetal position and scream like I’m in the forest getting ra**d til it subsides!”
18. Giving Birth
Now, of course, this isn’t about faking it or taking advantage. It’s about embracing a momentous life event and giving yourself the time you need to heal and bond with your little one.
A Reddit user wrote, “Childbirth in my recent experience has been just fine. Worked it out with my supervisor a couple of weeks beforehand and ended up working an extra day because our induction got delayed. And no one’s said a word except my supervisor texting me just to check and see if she was born yet. Said yes, sent a couple of baby pics, and that was it; see ya in two weeks.”
Another person shared similar thoughts and mentioned, “Wah always works for sure. No one can top bringing life into this world!”
19. Allergies
Allergies. Yep, those pesky sneezes and itchy eyes can suddenly become your golden ticket to escape the office grind.
Someone wrote, “I had a weird allergy breakout this summer that caused my face to swell up and look super gnarly even tho it didn’t hurt or itch or anything (meaning I could totally work). A simple selfie was enough for a “take all the time you need.””
Someone else replied, “Do. not. come. in. please. you can also edit a picture or take several pictures in different outfits when you get the allergy for later use.”
20. Being Suicidal
This person shared, “Being suicidal when having job like train conductor or pilot.”
Another commented, “My jerk-head boss (the one from Kroger’s) had his second fiancé blow her brains out, right in front of him, the night before the wedding. Or that’s what he said, didn’t show up to work for weeks.”
A little tip; always approach this situation with care and sensitivity because we never know what’s really going on in someone’s life!
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
