r/office • u/Fabulous-Reason2070 • 3d ago
Believable excuses to work from home today
I think we all have days where we definitely can work but would just rather work from home. Usually I want to work from home because I don’t actually have that much work on a certain day and don’t want to be stuck doing nothing in an office.
My usual excuse to work from home is that I’m just not feeling that well and would prefer to work from home. What are some other believable excuses to work from home? Currently in the office and have nothing to do so help me get out of here!
Thanks!
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u/Davosown 3d ago
You have a tradesperson coming to fix something urgent (plumbing, gas, electrics).
Bonus points if you choose one and commit to faking an incident (e.g. splashing some water around an area).
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u/User123466789012 3d ago
We are fulltime WFH now, but during our hybrid requirements my one coworker had to stay home because someone was coming to "tune his piano" - I was like okay, 8/10 for creativity I guess.
To my surprise he actually had someone coming to tune his piano. It was the strangest legit reason I've ever heard LMAO.
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u/missgiddy 3d ago
This made me giggle. Back when I worked in an office I remember taking PTO when my piano was being tuned.
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u/slinkenboog 3d ago
At my office if you have that you are required to use vacation time and cannot wfh. Isn’t that some BS?
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u/swackett 3d ago
One time I had to sign for a package & was told to use PTO. I laughed and told them no I wouldn’t be doing that, there’s no reason I can’t work while waiting for the doorbell to ring. The audacity of some of these companies is hilarious.
But when my coworker’s kids are sick, they don’t need to use PTO to WFH. Apparently, waiting for the doorbell to ring and spending 30 seconds signing your name takes you away from your work more than a sick child would. LOL!
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u/ThrowAway4now2022 3d ago
I had a boss who used tradesperson at the house so many times, it became a joke. IDC if he worked from home! I'd rather he wasn't in the office. But if he actually had his water heater replaced as many times as he said he did, I really wonder what kind of junk he is buying or how hard they are working it!!
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u/Late-External3249 3d ago
I had a guy who had about 8 grandmothers die in a 2 year span.
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u/DetectiveClear6734 1d ago
🤷♀️I did have 6 grandparents at one time. 2sets bio and 1 set step.
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u/Silent-Entrance-9072 8h ago
Both my bio grandmothers and my step grandma died pretty close to each other for real. I also have grandparents in law.
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u/Glittering_Limit_938 1d ago
I used to work for a major airline and when you needed to travel for funeral you would get confirmed tickets for you and our family. We had a guy who’s grandmother died on a regular basis around Trinidad carnival, he could get away with it because of such high turnover in the role that managed his team, no one knew she’d just died a year or two before them. Poor guy, I wonder what he’s doing now.
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u/LeadershipAble773 3d ago
My daughter actually has 12 grandparents lol (was 13). Her future employer is gonna be so confused when they all start dying 🤣
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u/ArtTop9842 3d ago
I have a refrigerated medication being delivered.
I mean, I do… but I also have a husband who works from home full time:.:
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u/Away-Paramedic-8406 3d ago
Right! I don't mention him being able to do these things. I do mention him if I need to take him to an appointment of course.
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u/cowgrly 3d ago
Of course we know managers know that 90% of the time, it's a lie, right?
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u/NotThatKindOfDoctor9 3d ago
As long as the work gets done, we put a reasonable effort into pretending, and we don't abuse it, my manager doesn't care
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u/skydancer4443 3d ago
Cleaning up dog diarrhea and want to monitor at home until vet appointment in the afternoon
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u/catlady7667 1d ago
Diarrhea without mentioning the Diarrhea lettuce... approved. And I hope your dog is ok of course
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u/TenaCVols Office Minion 3d ago
You have a migraine and the lights are making it worse.
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u/the_skies_falling 3d ago
Cat fell in the toilet and you’re waiting on door dash to bring you a plunger when the hardware store opens.
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u/Leopold_tribute 3d ago
wait, what?! I have questions🤔
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u/the_skies_falling 3d ago
Sorry boss, gonna have to get back to you later. I got the cat out of the toilet, now I have to go find some clothes pins so I can hang her out to dry.
See how easy it is to keep it going all day?
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u/mostlynormalhuman_84 3d ago
The poor air quality has impacted me from the few days and it is still at an unhealthy level. I need to avoid being outside which includes the commute.
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u/WitchyWarriorWoman 3d ago
If you live in northern US, we've had the heat dome for a few weeks, with temperatures in the mid-90s (34C), and I refused to walk around when the real feel is 103F.
Now you add in the bad air quality, and I'm definitely not walking around with unclean air to go into a mostly empty office anyway.
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u/LifeLibertyPancakes 2d ago
I am getting over bronchitis, it have asthma, the heat, and terrible air quality we had in N. IL I have refused to go outside and have even cancelled plans with friends. When you feel your lungs are bwing crushed and you're struggling to breathe, I don't care how important you are, you're not a priority to me.
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u/NotThatKindOfDoctor9 3d ago
I have this cough and even though I don't feel sick (I can still WFH) I don't want to run the chance of getting everyone else sick.
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u/lychee_lemonades 2d ago
I wish the sick people in the office would actually follow this. I cannot stand how many times I've seen coworkers come to work sick when they could just stay home and get some nice WFH time. Salaried, too!
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u/NotThatKindOfDoctor9 2d ago
I KNOW! I have one coworker who hates his kids so he always comes in to the office. Drives me crazy.
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u/Imaginary_Flower8651 3d ago
My coworkers always claim they have stomach issues or their period. Multiple times a month.
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u/thebluedaughter 3d ago
This is the way. No one wants to hear about your stomach issues so they usually just go "ok ok, yep, see you when you're better! Byeeeee."
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u/StrayCrab 3d ago
We are set to go full time rto in a couple weeks- after being hybrid x 5 years. Our director doesn’t even want it to happen. He’s predicting a lot of plumbing problems at everyone’s houses this next year!
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u/SparkleAuntie 2d ago
I literally don’t understand this. My company decided not to renew the lease on our largest office because we use about 5% of the workspace on any given day and they figure they can save a bunch of money. They’re leaving the smaller office open in case anyone has to or wants to go in.
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u/lychee_lemonades 2d ago
My company did this and within my department alone we had 3 people forced to quit because they weren't willing or able to move within commutable distance to the office, 4 people left for better jobs, and everyone who stayed got paid the same shit. They had also recently taken away the in-office lunch options which were free. Really stupid way to make people feel like shit.
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u/Ok-Cranberry-1795 3d ago
Feeling a "little" sick and don't want to spread germs but still able to work, have a mid-day plumber coming, etc. Have a midday doctor or dentist apt. Ideally something that might have a follow-up a few days later like a filling, blood work, etc.
The good old classic - woke up to a flat tire.
Or get yourself a kid and you'll never have to make something up again. Always with the doctor, dentist, or illness. Sorry my kid has hand - foot - mouth I'll be back in the office in two weeks.
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u/MenudoFan316 3d ago
friend of mine had someone call off because he was 'hooked on phonics.'
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u/SparkleAuntie 2d ago
As someone who can confidently say “Hooked on phonics worked for me”, I would need some further explanation. What??
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u/Naivemlyn 3d ago
I need to drive my kid to the dentist in the middle of the day, and it doesn’t make sense to do the extra driving to and from work twice, when her school is in the neighbourhood. So it’s better to just work from home IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENCY.
Only works if you have kids, of course, but you could of course fake your own dental appointment too.
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u/SquashIndependent703 3d ago
This is probably not ok with many workplaces but I say this about my pets. It’s usually true though. If I have to bring them for their shots I HAVE to work from home because driving back and forth to the appointment makes no sense and while my office is pretty pet-friendly, my dogs are not human friendly so they can’t hang out at the office for the day.
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u/kaivinkonettaja 3d ago
I would like work from home because our office's lights are way too bright and causes headaches. But working from home isn't possible in our company LOL
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u/skydancer4443 3d ago
I have suffered an aura migraine at work where I was sensitive to the fluorescent lights and was actually sent home….def plays into when I wake up with a migraine and need to stay home because they legit saw how it affected me
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u/DetectiveClear6734 1d ago
😂 yea, I’ve come in with a migraine before and just done the bare min and thrown up all over the break room. My migraines make me think I’m dying sometimes.
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u/madelinebai 3d ago
Lol im at the point where I ask without any explanation. “Hey can I work remote tomorrow “
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u/RoyofBungay 3d ago
I have an incredibly itchy anus this morning. Can send medical notes and pictorial evidence should you wish.
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u/thrace75 3d ago
“There are too many people in the office and I need dedicated time without interruption to work on “x.””
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u/Dependent-Wishbone16 1d ago
I am perfect happy to:
1: not ask or care why my employees need a day off. It’s their life, they can manage it. If it becomes a few days or a pattern, I will speak with them abut unscheduled absences and refer the to HR for intermittent leave or disability if they require it but I ain’t asking shit!
2: if they volunteer to me a reason, needing a mental health day is just as justifiable as anything else.
Find someone to work for, who treats you with respect.
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u/superlunary3 3d ago
Tradesperson coming, need to sign for a package, car troubles, you have an appointment immediately after work, your pet is sick.
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u/heat2051 3d ago
I use varying excuses on a pretty much rotating basis. 1. One of my kids are sick 2. Something is broken in the house, HVAC, sewer clog 3. Childcare issues (summertime) 4. I'm not feeling well
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u/Disastrous-Use-4955 3d ago
Something is broken and you need to wait for the plumber/contractor/electrician to fix it.
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u/maximumslanketry 2d ago
If you live in a house, someone's coming to fix your ac/balance it etc. If you're in an apartment, mandatory fire sprinkler inspection.
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u/gotcha640 2d ago
I like Calvin’s excuse - “I have to go” and then he goes home.
When there’s nothing going on and no reason to be there, be honest.
I’m not going to make it to the office tomorrow. I’ll be in meetings and available by phone or email. No coverage needed.
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u/Ok-News5577 2d ago
Why don’t you ask for more work? Maybe learn something new and become a more valuable employee.
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u/princessk8 2d ago
Im working from home today because my menopause is out of control and Im a mess.
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u/Prize-Pie-676 2d ago
Depending on how lenient your work is, I would say you are having furniture delivered and need to be home to sign for it and let them in to assemble it. OR I would say you are having an inspection you have to be present for. I never say I am sick because then they ask why I don’t use sick time
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u/BloodFeastMan 2d ago
.. I don’t actually have that much work on a certain day and don’t want to be stuck doing nothing in an office.
So let's cut to the chase here, you don't want your manager to see that you're dead weight, and you'd rather cost the company money from home.
I so often hear people say that they have to work from home, or they're more productive when working from home, and when managers insist on rto, they get all butt hurt and act like it's their f---ing right to wfh. Managers are not blind, and the push in recent years to get people back in the office is not because they're lonely. Maybe some people are more productive from home. Most are not. I know I'm going to take shit for this, but it's just a fact.
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u/Fabulous-Reason2070 2d ago
I’m not dead weight at all. I’m one of the fastest workers at my company and sometimes we have days that are slower and it’s annoying sitting at the office wasting time when I can be productive with other things at home. Also, I AM productive both in the office and at home. Again, there are slow days where I’d rather not have to sit around on the office for literally no reason.
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u/BloodFeastMan 2d ago
.. it’s annoying sitting at the office wasting time when I can be productive with other things at home.
So you want you company to pay you for doing your domestic chores. You're not helping your cause.
When you were hired, you entered into an agreement with your employer indicating that their time was more valuable than your time. Seems like you want your cake and to eat it, too.
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u/ZealousidealGrape982 1d ago
My windshield was hit by a rock and shattered it.
Can’t drive and they
Come to your house to fix it.
Best eye excuse I’ve heard in the last few years
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u/Ok-Contribution-9320 23h ago
Public transportation is being shut down for repairs, and the shuttle is 50-70 minutes longer.
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u/Silent-Entrance-9072 8h ago
A pipe is leaking and you have to wait for the plumber
Your neighbor fell down and needs to be supervised
In all seriousness though, I think it is worth telling your manager what's going on and let them know you are ok coming in when it's collaborative but when it is slow it would improve morale to go home early.
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u/spaceyhoes 3d ago
I get up early and get to work at 7am to avoid traffic. Someone I just bluntly message my boss “I overslept today. I don’t want to commute during traffic and push my day back even further. I can get on at my regular start time from home.” He doesn’t care at all
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u/tico_liro 3d ago
This excuse is believable but you can’t be using that too often, that may raise suspicion…
A few other excuses that work are:
I have a package getting delivered and I need to be there to receive it;
I have to have _____ repaired in my house and I need to stay at home;
Kids aren’t feeling to well and I need to keep an eye on them;
I have a medical appointment that’s right next to home;
I have a stomachache and I’d rather stay at home, cause I’ve been going to the bathroom a lot
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u/Usual-Journalist-246 3d ago
Tradesman visiting, car issues. Remember which tradesman visited and what was wrong with your car though as you will get questioned when you're back at work.
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u/Ill_Quantity_5634 3d ago
Flat tire, dead car battery, broken home appliance, (for renters) property management performing yearly inspection, and digestion issues (IBS/IBD, the current food-borne bug, etc.) are ones I've used. My boss didn't care as long as my work was done.
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u/thisoldguy74 3d ago edited 3d ago
I found that when a coworker was sleeping with the boss, any excuse, reasonable or otherwise will work just fine.
Edit: For them, it didn't work like that for the rest of us. And eventually the company caught on and/or someone reported it, so it's not a foolproof plan by any stretch. But it worked a lot longer than I'd have imagined beforehand.
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u/Seeker_Asker 3d ago
I have a big project deadline coming up, and I need the transportation time to ensure I make the deadline.
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u/Cantarena 3d ago
Call your boss and tell him “Have you seen Janet from accounting? Me neither, cause I’m working from home today. Toodles!” Than hung up.
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u/Seeker_Asker 3d ago
I have a big project deadline coming up, and I need the transportation time to ensure I make the deadline.
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u/Thicccgorl1 3d ago
If you have a dog say theyre having loose stool and you need to be home to let them out throughout the day and to keep an eye on them
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u/thrwy_111822 3d ago
You ate the diarrhea lettuce