30 Funny Reasons Employees Called Out of Work

“The dog ate my homework” was a classic — albeit unbelievable — excuse once used by students who wanted to pull a fast one on their teachers. But it seems that not enough people tested these waters of dishonesty as children, and became adults who give less-than-satisfactory reasons for calling out of work. 

One Redditor remembers the time their coworker tried calling out on 4/20, claiming that it was their birthday. Unfortunately, their manager wasn’t gullible enough to fall for the excuse, and quickly replied, “We know your birthday is in February. It’s on your paperwork.” The defeated coworker had no choice but to show up for his shift.

It’s not just stoner antics that have sparked phony phone calls to managers either. Whether it was broken legs that magically healed overnight or funerals for grandparents who kept on dying, here are some of the most ridiculous reasons employees called out of work…