What was the REAL reason you called off

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As I'm sitting in my doctor's office waiting to get a flu swab, I thought I'd start a thread. I called in yesterday from the flu. The worst of it actually began tuesday, I had a fever Wednesday, and I still went to work. When I was still feeling pretty drained yesterday, I called in. My nurse manager used scare tactics with me and told me that I had to get tested to be sure it WAS the flu. That pissed me off. I have the right to give no excuse period. Anyhoo...

We've had threads where we've posted the funniest, dumbest and most amusing reasons people have given to call off. So I thought I'd start a thread asking....so what was the REAL reason you have called off when giving an excuse? This isn't meant to encourage unethical behavior, but I thought it would be fun.

One time I called in sick when the flu was going around because I had not had an ounce of sleep in 4 days. I had already called off for that before, and boy was my DON pissed. (I've suffered from crazy insomnia issues for years and have worked with my doctors to no avail.)

My managers clearly didn't get the severity of my sleep deprivation nor care how dangerous it would be for me to be on the floor with lives in my hands saying it was my responsibility to get proper sleep at night, as if I had control over it. So I wasn't about to say it was due to sleep again. So I called in sick saying I had the flu.

How about you all?

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Specializes in Oncology.

I've literally only called in when sick, and even then I'm full of guilt knowing my co-workers are working short and wondering if I could have made it through the shift.

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Specializes in OB.

I, too, called out once because I hadn't slept a wink the night before. I was working part-time and in graduate school full-time and I don't even remember now what was keeping me up, but I felt unsafe. I said I was sick, not that I hadn't slept, because I knew no one would understand. I also called out to go to my grandma's 90th birthday party when I couldn't get anyone to switch so I could have the day off. Nothing too exciting.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I have had a day or two when I was mentally in a place where the thought of going to work that day was beyond my ability. I called off.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Either mental health day following getting my nose broken by a pt and not getting any sleep or if I am literally leaking from both ends I couldn't ever make it through a day. Either way, they are both justified.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I have had a day or two when I was mentally in a place where the thought of going to work that day was beyond my ability. I called off.

This. ^^

I also called in once for cellulitis in my right leg. Walking on it hurt. Fortunately my manager understood and told me she didn't want me there anyway since I had MRSA. Hmmm, wonder why? :blink:

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Well we are a boring lot. I called in when my dog died. Actually I sat on the couch crying and shaking for two days. He was my best friend for 14 years.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I hardly ever call out sick unless I am ACTUALLY too sick to crawl into work, which rarely happens. I can usually crawl when I'm sick. Last time I called in sick was when I found myself pondering whether it would be worse to jump off the third floor of a parking garage or go into the toxic place I called work. That was about a week away from me giving notice. In other words, things have to be pretty bad for me to take a sick day.

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

I am sick

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Specializes in ER.

In 24 yrs I've done a fake call in only twice.They were both times of extreme aggravation and exasperation with management. I know the most recent time I claimed a serious sprained ankle and posted a photo on Facebook of ice on my elevated ankle, twisted from slipping on the ice.

Since I'm normally such a good girl I figured I was entitled.

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Well we are a boring lot. I called in when my dog died. Actually I sat on the couch crying and shaking for two days. He was my best friend for 14 years.

Cat365 - ((((Big hugs)))) :cry: I love pets, too.

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As you said, you do NOT have to give a reason. Management cannot ask the reason, or ask for your PHI.

I have called off because I could not sleep. I have also called off because it was time for a mental health day. Neither are unethical.

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