Do you wish it was a day off? Many do act on their wishes by just calling off. But when they are asked to provide a reason, they obviously make one up.

A recent survey by Careerbuilder.com, an online job and career research portable, recently asked employers in the US about the strangest excuses they have heard from employees for their absences. Some of these excuses reflect a good amount of creativity, yet naivety or indifference, in providing unbelievable excuses. Take for example, an excuse of an employee who said she couldn’t go to work because she glued her doors and windows shut. Another said a swarm of bees surrounded his vehicle and he couldn’t make it in.

Fake reasons aside, all excuses for sudden reasons often may be scrutinised, especially when they are slightly unbelievable or frequent. That is why it is important that if you have to take an unplanned leave of absence that you provide your employer with a credible excuse in a timely manner. It is also helpful to clarify any circumstances that may lead to frequent absence, which can allay any concerns about your commitment to the job. Here are a few points to keep in mind.

Explain emergencies

It is not uncommon to have a wave of bad luck, where, for example, your car breaks down on Sunday, a child gets sick and needs to be picked up from school on Monday, and your house gets flooded on Tuesday. If you go through such circumstances that force you frequently to call off or leave the office abruptly, make sure that you take the time to sit down with your supervisor and explain how you’re going through an extraordinary series of events.

You may think that you don’t owe anyone an explanation — and you probably don’t if you’re using your available time off — but in reality your explanation will be appreciated. It also will help you set the record straight about your punctuality and reliability. Once you’ve taken care of your personal issues, make sure that you commit to a strict schedule for a long while to make sure that you reverse any negative impression that might have be taken.

Minimise impact

You probably have one or more coworkers who cover your work when you have to take time off or leave the office. Try to minimise these people’s inconvenience either by working offsite (from home) if possible, or by returning the favour at the first opportunity. Having this sort of reciprocity in offering coverage with coworkers can help you make sure that your work is done correctly when you’re away and that your coworkers and supervisors aren’t annoyed by your personal circumstances. Both will help you pre-empt a crisis as a result of your unplanned absence. Still keep in mind that workers who have an awful number of excuses and personal needs may be deemed unreliable and distracted despite their hard work. So make sure that you try to keep your work quality as a priority and excel as soon as you’re back on track.

Communicate

Much of the damage of sudden absence can be controlled by proper communication. Again, you don’t have to share personal information or private matters, but giving your supervisor a general idea about what’s going on can be a great help. For example, if a close relative has been diagnosed with a terrible illness, you just can explain the situation without getting into the details of the illness. Instead, you should focus on what this situation entails for your availability for work. Will you have to be available for lab testing, treatments or care? Focus as much as you can on the impact this may have on your work and how you’re planning to arrange to cover, switch or reduce your work hours, ask for a flexible schedule, etc. When you have an agreement in hand, follow up with an email that documents the setup. This clear, documented communication helps you avoid severe consequences in the future.

Be honest

If you often find yourself uninterested in your work to the extent that you’re trying to find a reason to take the day off, perhaps it is time to find a new challenge. Be sure that your lack of enthusiasm is seen by your coworkers and supervisor. The longer you go with a lukewarm attitude toward your job and below-the-bar performance, the more you’re risking in your experience with this employer. Be honest about how you feel about the job, and take action accordingly.

Rania Oteify, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is currently a Seattle-based editor.

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