What Are The Most Creative Call-off Excuses You Have Heard?

Nurses Professionalism

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Ok. Maybe that isn't a fair title. Perhaps some of the excuses are true. But I would like to see what others have been told as far as why someone called off. Here's a few of my favorites:

1. My babysitter is in jail so I can't come in.

2. I burned my hand on some food so I can't work today.

3. I forgot I had to work today, so I stayed up too late and am too tired to come in.

4. My child got stung by a bee (several hours ago) so I don't want to come in.

5. I'm mad at (supervisor) so I'm not working today.

I have used "I'm stressed to death and am taking a "mental health" day today." Yes, I was wrote for an absence, lol. But I was being honest. Anyway, what have you heard?

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

a calf just got out of my pasture, it will be a while

a red wasp stung my right hand , swollen cant grip a pen

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I once had to call out to a non-nursing job because my pet rats had mites, which are highly transmissible to humans.

Unfortunately, that happens. In 2011, I lost my father-in-law in July, my mother in November, and my father in December. In the middle of everything, I found out I needed surgery, which ended up scheduled for the day after my father's memorial service. All told, I was out of work for 3-1/2 weeks.

That's understandable and totally not what I was meaning.

If you call off for Uncle George's funeral in February, June, August, and December--that's a little bit suspect.

Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I actually did call off twice because my dog was non stop vomiting and I had to take him too the vet, and I hate calling off.

My dog was having emergency surgery and the vet was on the speaker phone with me during it. We were having to decide whether or not to put her down on the operating table. I had to call in that day.....I was an emotional wreck. She is my baby!

Luckily she survived and is now happy and healthy.

My manager wasn't the nicest and when I was back at work the next day she told me "if it had been me, I wouldn't have been selfish about not coming into work and just put her down..." I was dumbfounded :wideyed: I had the time to use and it was my decision. I would have been crying every 5 minutes at work.....

Unfortunately that happens. In 2011, I lost my father-in-law in July, my mother in November, and my father in December. In the middle of everything, I found out I needed surgery, which ended up scheduled for the day after my father's memorial service. All told, I was out of work for 3-1/2 weeks.[/quote']

Sorry about your loss. I had 3 relatives all die close together and called in for all 3. I took a leave of absence when my father died. Several of my coworkers came to the wakes and everyone who wasn't working that day on my floor came to my dad's funeral including my boss and her boss so yeah I was telling the truth. I did appreciate everyone coming.

I think the other person meant that uncle George died one month, was reincarnated, and dies again 6 months later.

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This is not one of mine, but someone elses excuse, "There's a raccoon in my house."

To all the previous posters that don't give excuses:

Does your boss not inquire as to why you are calling out? Every time, without exception, I've called out my supervisor has asked me why? If they do ask, what do you guys say? I doubt most of you say "none of your business." I'm just curious, thanks.

My manager wasn't the nicest and when I was back at work the next day she told me "if it had been me, I wouldn't have been selfish about not coming into work and just put her down..."

Your manager is a butthead. I understand not treating animals like humans because it makes them misbehave and what not, but they're not expendable! THey are part of your family.

Your manager is a butthead. I understand not treating animals like humans because it makes them misbehave and what not, but they're not expendable! THey are part of your family.

I am not under this management anymore thank goodness....but yes she was quite the butthead!

Specializes in CICU.

I usually just call the house supervisor, who has never asked (not that I call out very often). Any absence is treated the same - what difference does it make if you are sick, your kid is sick, your pet is sick, the basement flooded, the car won't start, you don't want to work, etc?

"I am not able to come in for my shift" is what I say. If they ask why, I'd probably say "I am not able to". It hasn't been an issue, I really don't call out very often.

I used to live in a very bad area. I had to call in one day because someone found a body in front of my driveway and the coroner was blocking me in with the van/crime scene investigation. My boss told me I didn't have lie, I could just say I was taking a day off. But it was sadly true. I ended up taking a picture of the van blocking me in to prove it .

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