The most creative excuses managers wish to receive

The most creative excuses managers wish to receive

“I’m late,” “My alarm didn’t ring,” “I forgot I was working”... “I went out last night, now I’m sick.” Every manager has heard these before. How many times have you received a text or WhatsApp message just minutes before a shift starts to announce someone won’t show up?

Fortunately, some employees still get creative. Some workers put in a little more effort and manage to make managers smile with well-crafted excuses. Of course, there are the brutally honest ones, the strange ones, and the truly unbelievable ones — but they’re real.

Here’s a selection of the most original excuses we’ve seen. And if you’re wondering how to quickly find a replacement without stress, we’ve got you covered too.

Creative health-related excuses

Health issues are among the most accepted by managers, but they’re also often the most dreaded. These messages can be too graphic, with too much unnecessary detail. Sometimes they even come with photos as proof. Here are some of the best:

• “I was catfishing. My friend cast his line, and the hook went straight into my nose. It tore the skin and ended up above my eye. ER doctors removed it, but my nose is swollen, and my eyes are nearly shut.”
• “I tripped over my grandma’s dog and hit my face on the kitchen cabinets.”
• “I’m sick and won’t be back for at least three days. I already know I won’t recover fast, so I’m sparing you daily updates.”
• “I caught fire.”
• “My wife said I needed a mental health day.”
• “My brother got hit by a train, and I need to go get him.”
• “I can’t come today. I accidentally poisoned myself with paraffin during my zen breathing exercise.”
• “I ate bad takeout and it feels like a gnome is stabbing me in the stomach.”

Creative family-related excuses

Close behind health excuses are those involving family members:

• “My grandmother’s only grandson passed away.”
• “I need to help my grandmother find her medication.”
• “My child got suspended, and I have to pick them up from school.”

Creative pet-related excuses

And when it’s not a family member, it’s often a pet causing the trouble:

• “I closed the door on my cat by accident and need to take it to the vet.”
• “My mother-in-law’s cat died.”
• “A horse is blocking my garage door, so I can’t leave.”
• “I’ll be late. There’s an injured bird near the bridge, and I’m waiting for animal control.”
• “I’ll be late because I stopped to help a hedgehog cross the road.”

Creative transport-related excuses

Some transport excuses stand out, not just because of traffic jams:

• “I had a car accident and I’m currently upside down in a ditch. Firefighters are cutting the car open to get me out.”
• “I’m stuck on the highway. There’s a group in yellow suits with masks — seems like a chemical spill.”
• “A garbage truck blocked my driveway, so I’m waiting for them to move.”

Other creative excuses

Finally, here are the completely random excuses — some so funny you can’t help but laugh, others leaving you speechless:

• “I was abducted by aliens. They experimented on me for months before returning me at the exact time I was taken, but they were 5 minutes late, so I missed the bus.”
• “I couldn’t make it back. I’m in Vegas and just hit the jackpot.”
• “My upstairs neighbor’s toilet crashed through our ceiling and landed on my bed.”
• “I forgot to file my taxes. I need to stay home and do them now.”
• “It’s way too nice outside to work indoors.”
• “Oh, I didn’t realize you expected me back.”

The real reasons according to Jobat

The actual reasons for lateness are often less colorful. According to a survey by Jobat, the most common causes are:

• Traffic jams: 31%
• Oversleeping: 18%
• Bad weather: 11%
• Dropping children at school or daycare: 8%
• Other reasons: public transport delays, pet issues, partner problems, or malfunctioning appliances.

Source: https://www.jobat.be/fr/art/les-10-plus-mauvaises-excuses-pour-arriver-en-retard-au-boulot

Quickly find a replacement

Managing staff is no easy task. With Shyfter, absences are handled directly via our mobile app — employees submit requests, and you approve or deny them.

If someone can’t make it at the last minute, simply send an emergency replacement request to your available staff. First come, first served. No more hassle.

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