As the number of mandates for returning to the office rises, the search for plausible justifications for absences from work has become more intense — and so has the search for acceptable excuses to miss work. According to an analysis by Frank Recruitment Group, workers are searching the internet for ideas. Searches for terms like “reasonable excuse to miss work” have surpassed 2 million so far this year, compared to 300,000 in 2018. Simply put, this means that the employees’ face-to-face transition to offices has proven to be quite overwhelming for them, given that they are aware that they will lose the extra hours they have been spending with life outside of work, including getting enough sleep, doing chores, and hanging out with family. 

5 Great excuses to miss work 

1. Child’s illness

Tending to a sick child’s needs should always be a top priority, and while this is surely a role that parents must play, it can also be used to their advantage. This is a perfect excuse to miss work because the majority of employers sympathize with parents given that they have their own families to tend to as well, so they know first-hand what it is like to care for sick children. Use this one sparingly ’cause, you know, karma!

2. A trip to the doctor

This one is an old stand-by. Tried and true, a fictional trip to the doctor is one of the best excuses to miss work. First, mention to your employer that you are not feeling well and need to go in for an appointment. A telehealth appointment may not be enough to excuse your absence for a full day or more.

3. A family member is in need 

Whether it concerns your wife, a parent, or a sibling, this excuse is one of the most effective ones for missing work. Given that the majority of these require immediate attention, family emergencies are acceptable excuses. 

For instance, your wife is going into labor and needs you by her side (that one takes some lead-up work), or maybe you have a senior parent who just slipped and broke their arm. Such emergencies would make it possible for you to miss work. 

4. Church related activities 

Employers have to accept the fact that religion plays a big part in many people’s lives. Employers that will not accept an excuse where religion is involved will surely stir up trouble because the business can be sued for employment discrimination. 

Employers are not allowed to discriminate against employees on the basis of their religion, sex, color, race, or national origin, as per Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers must therefore comply with your request to miss work due to religious obligations.  

5. Household problems 

Unexpected home issues like faulty wiring, frayed cables, gas leaks, roof leaks, and environmental dangers must be addressed — even if they’re not really happening. 

The reason why employers would understand this kind of scenario is because they are aware that certain household problems require immediate attention. 

Word to the wise: Frequent absences, for real or imagined reasons, will almost certainly make your employer suspicious. Most are tolerant but smell a rat when the excuses come around the holidays, or simply occur at a speedy clip. It’s unlikely you’d have to deal with a gas leak, a sick child, your own sniffles, a wife stranded at the side of the road, plus a major church event, all in the same week. 

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