An increasing number of American workers call in sick despite being in good health, according to the annual study of CareerBuilder, a large online job site in the United States that matches people with jobs.
Harris Poll surveyed 3,321 full-time workers and 2,326 human resource/recruitment managers representing diverse industries.
CareerBuilder reported on its website an uptick in the number of people this year who responded that they called in sick to work even if they were in tiptop shape.
The survey showed that 38 percent of employees who took part in the online survey called in sick and took time off from work even if they were not ill. This represents an increase from the 28 percent during the previous year who responded similarly. The reasons presented to justify the absence ranged from silly to outlandish.
CareerBuilder tweeted the many far-fetched reasons employees stated when they were tempted to call in sick and miss a work day, including being told by the universe to take the day off. Other excuses cited ranged from the oddest accidents, like breaking an arm to catch a falling sandwich, poking an eye while combing one's hair, or having to deal with a cat stuck inside the employee's car dashboard.
CareerBuilder Corporate Communications Jennifer Grasz noted that the implausible reasons often come from individuals with repeat offenses. The number of employers feigning illness or giving other absurd reasons to miss work reached a high 43 percent in 2005, CNBC reported.
Whether employees really lined up an appointment with the doctor, needed to recharge, or simply feeling unmotivated, lazy and inclined to blame anything including unlikely situations and bad weather, the excuses may not sit well with some employers.
There is the possibility of the employer getting wind of employees engaging in other activities during the days they missed work via social networking sites. Honesty may prove to be the best policy when citing reasons for job absences.
The laws that govern sick leave vary from one country to another. Paid sick days and occasional days off are normally granted by employers even without flourish or exaggeration on the part of the employee. Concocting fake reasons may also backfire.