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The 10 most outrageous sickie excuses
The first Monday of February is known as ‘National Sickie Day’, as peak numbers of employees take the day off. According to the employment law expert ELAS, National Sickie Day costs the UK an estimated £37m in wages, lost hours and overtime. Their survey of 1,500 workers found sickness or migraine to be the most common reason, with 30% of employees planning to use it as their excuse of choice. Also popular were general ‘illness’ at 12%, a cold or flu at 6% and a death or funeral at 2%.
Other surveys have turned out some more bizarre answers. The healthcare provider Benenden Health carried out a survey of 1,000 employees and 1,000 bosses, with some interesting results. Here are 10 of the most creative excuses:
1. I have a blocked nose
2. I’ve got a sore finger
3. I am hallucinating
4. I’ve been bitten by an insect
5. I’m stuck in my house because the door is broken
6. My fish is sick
7. My trousers split on the way to work
8. I’m in A&E as I got a clothes peg stuck on my tongue
9. My mum has died (this was the second time the person used this excuse)
10. I was swimming too fast and smacked my head on the poolside
The survey didn’t mention how successful any of these were, but we can make an educated guess.
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Sources:
ibtimes.co.uk/top-excuses-hilarious-stories-workshy-employees-invent-national-sickie-day-1486217
telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/10062020/Worst-excuses-for-missing-work-revealed
forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/10/23/the-most-ridiculous-excuses-for-skipping-work
Published date: 2nd September 2016
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