'You are trying to call off work because your horoscope is wrong?': 20+ ridiculous excuses for calling in sick

Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor

Jan 7, 2024 8:00 AM EST

Every once in a while, you wake up in the morning and you just can't bring yourself to go to work. We understand this phenomenon all too well, given the amount of time we devote to stories of horrible bosses, toxic work environments, and general mistreatment of employees. Sometimes, you're not in the mood to muster even the slightest facade. This is what sick days are for.

Ok, sure, they are also for when you're genuinely sick, but never forget that mental health matters too. Of course, the common misconception is that employees take advantage of their sick days, so managers are always skeptical when you decide to use one of yours. However, the truth is that it simply does not matter what they think about your alleged reasons. They are your days to use how you wish.

Still, some managers can read right through their employees, so when they were asked to share the most ridiculous excuses their employees used when calling in sick, they did not mince words. This list of responses was compiled from the following r/AskReddit thread. Keep scrolling below, and when you're done, check out this collection of pointless school rules.