55 Bulletproof Excuses to Get Out of Work

Matheen Haneef in Business Insight Aug 17 / 8 months ago

Finding bulletproof excuses to get out of work is something most professionals need at some point in their careers. Whether it's a last-minute emergency or simply a mental health day requirement, the way you present your excuse matters. A solid excuse can keep away embarrassing conversations you don't want to have while saving your career aspirations.

The average worker now takes about 8 days of unplanned time off yearly, and that's expected to hit 9 days in 2026 and beyond. According to recent studies, taking occasional mental health days actually boosts productivity by over 30% when you return.

This guide gives you 55 solid, good excuses to miss work that won't damage your reputation or make your boss suspicious. You'll learn:

• Excuses that work best for different situations.
• How to deliver your excuse convincingly.
• What to say in emails or calls when you need to call out of work.
• How to maintain trust while still taking the time you need.

The right excuse can save you from awkward conversations while protecting your professional image. Let's explore them.

Common Everyday Excuses

1. Family Emergency

When you have to deal with any family emergencies that unexpectedly happen, you can call out from work. For example, if an illness suddenly occurred to a family member or an urgent situation involving a close relative. This excuse is something generally understood by everyone.

2. Personal Health Issues

Health is a priority of an individual. A sudden headache, cold, runny nose, or any other minor health problem could make an individual unable to perform well. This makes it reasonable for a person not to go to work. This is a solid reason, and you can see our guide on how to call in sick to understand the tips and ready-to-use templates.

3. Child’s Illness

When your child falls ill, it makes sense that you would wish to stay home to take care of them. This excuse is very strong if your child is young and needs constant attention.

4. Family Obligation

Family comes first, and sometimes, family obligations such as a wedding, funeral, or major family event require your presence for celebrations or condolences. You can't generally ignore or neglect these events, which serve as a strong excuse.

5. Spouse/Partner’s Health

If your spouse or partner is unwell, you need to be there with them whether they need assistance in going to the doctor or they simply want you around. This excuse cannot be argued against.

6. School Emergency

Parents understand that sometimes, schools have unexpected emergencies. If you get a call from your child's school asking you to pick them up or deal with something urgent, it's a completely valid reason to leave work for that.

7. Babysitter Cancellation

If your babysitter calls off at the last minute, you are likely to be in trouble without any other childcare options available to look after the baby. This is a bulletproof excuse if your child/children cannot be left alone. 

Time-Sensitive Excuses

8. Car Breakdown

It can be a frequent difficulty that keeps employees from reaching the workplace on time or at all. When one finds their car with a flat tire or with engine trouble, they can be left stranded, which can be a good excuse for a work day off.

9. Locked Out of the House

Getting yourself locked out of the house is annoying and requires a lot of time to solve this problem. This can be a problem that every individual may have faced, and they usually need professional support to help them out.

10. Home Emergency

Burst pipes and electrical outages are some examples of home emergencies calling for urgent attention. If you ignore these things, they might incur bigger costly issues later. So, this can be a valid excuse to miss work. 

11. Missed Alarm 

Even with all the technology available, sometimes a person may miss an alarm or sleep through it. This excuse is understandable, especially if you have been working late or dealing with stress.

12. Emergency Appointment

There are times when one has to stay home for emergency appointments. It can be anything like a professional visit to fix a leaking roof, a soft service like pest control, or any other emergency appointment that comes up suddenly requiring your instant attendance, and they cannot wait.

Health-Related Excuses

13. Migraine

Migraines are often mistaken for really bad headaches, but they are way worse. They can knock you out and make it impossible to do your normal stuff, like going to work. Plus, they can hit you out of nowhere, so it's okay to take a day off to rest up.

14. Stomach Flu

The stomach flu is a contagious disease and makes you feel miserable. When you are sick with this disease, it's a valid reason for you to avoid going to work. Also, being at home is essential to keep others safe.

15. Back Pain

If you are suffering from severe back pain, it can significantly limit your mobility and hamper your ability to work at a desk for prolonged periods. Whether this is an existing one or a new condition, this excuse is valid and reasonable.

16. Mental Health Day

Just like you give importance to your physical health, you should also prioritize your mental health. If you are overwhelmed, distressed, or anxious, then you should take a day off for your mental wellness.

17. Allergic Reaction

Getting an unexpected allergic reaction can cause swelling, itchiness, or difficulty breathing. These are not easy to handle at all times, thereby making homestay necessary.

18. Food Poisoning

Food poisoning hits suddenly in the most painful way and leaves people incapacitated in terms of mobility. Therefore, taking a day off is necessary. This is something that cannot be predicted and a reliable excuse accepted by almost all employers.

Social and Legal Obligations Excuses

19. Jury Duty

This is a legal duty that one cannot ignore. When you receive a summon, it becomes your lawful obligation to attend the court. So, this can be a valid excuse to miss work. 

20. Court Appearance

If you are a witness or someone involved with some legal proceedings, your presence in the court is necessary. You can't postpone this event and it can be a good reason to take a day off.

21. Family Court Issues

Immediate family matters like child custody hearings or other family-related court proceedings cannot wait for next week’s session. The attention of all parties concerned is mandatory. Here, employers should understand the importance of these events taking place in their employees’ lives.

22. Religious Observance

Most employers will respect your religious holidays and events that need your presence as long as you notify them earlier on if possible.

23. Funeral Attendance

Attending funerals, especially those of close relatives and friends, becomes a grave obligation, and most employers understand the need to take leave in such cases. Check our guide on bereavement leave to understand your rights, company policies, and how to request time off.

Work-Related Excuses

24. Work From Home Miscommunication

There is sometimes confusion about whether you are supposed to be working from home or you should be at the office. For not going in person, this mix-up can be an understandable reason.

25. Forgotten Meeting

It's normal for people to forget some things at certain times. Missing the early morning meetings is enough to mess up your work schedule for the day. This excuse is particularly good when you have to deal with multiple responsibilities.

26. Team Event

Once in a while, there might be team-building events or off-site meetings that clash with regular working hours. Therefore, if attendance is compulsory, this serves as a genuine excuse for a person to not be seated behind their desk.

Travel-Related Excuses

27. Missed Transportation

Your day can get ruined if you miss your normal mode of transport or forget to utilize it at all. This excuse works especially well if you use public transport regularly.

28. Flight Delay

When you are traveling often for work purposes, flight delays can easily mess up any work-related schedules. Airlines are notorious for delays, which can be a bulletproof excuse for most employers to believe.

29. Severe Weather

When the local authorities have issued warnings regarding severe weather conditions like heavy rain, snowstorms, flooding, extreme temperatures, or cyclones, they can make it impossible to travel safely. In such cases, you can miss out on work, and this is a solid excuse.

30. Traffic Jam

Getting stuck in a massive traffic jam due to an accident or road construction can delay your arrival indefinitely. This is a common excuse that most people have experienced firsthand.

31. Road Closures

Sometimes, there can be unexpected road closures that can force you to take long detours. This happens for certain reasons and makes it difficult for you to get to work on time. This excuse is believable and out of your control.

Technology-Related Excuses

32. Internet Outage

An internet outage can cause work to stop which is mainly when you are working from home. Without internet access, it may be impossible for you to execute critical job tasks.

33. Computer Crash

Technology isn't perfect, and it can let you down when you really need it. If a computer crashes, you could be stuck until a technician shows up to fix it. It's a pretty legitimate excuse.

34. Power Outage

A power outage at home makes remote work impossible. Even if your office has power, being stuck at home without electric power is a valid reason to miss work.

35. Phone Issues

When your phone breaks, or gets discarded, or else you need a necessary phone number change, it can make it hard to communicate. mainly if communication must be done occasionally. It would be particularly applicable when your phone is a vital part of your work.

36. Software Glitch

Some critical software problems can prevent you from doing your job effectively. Whether it’s an essential tool crashing or a network-wide issue, this excuse is understandable in today’s tech-reliant workplaces.

Personal Emergency Excuses

37. Identity Theft

It is crucial to attend immediately when you deal with identity theft, considering its severity. This serious issue involves contacting banks or merchant account providers, credit bureaus, and law enforcement, which makes it a valid excuse.

38. Pet Emergency

A pet’s sudden illness or injury may call for urgent vet visits. For pet owners, their pets are like family members, and this is a valid and reasonable excuse.

39. Lost Wallet/Keys

Losing your wallet or keys can put you in a stressful and time-consuming situation. A wallet may contain essential IDs, credit cards, or other valuables. Similarly, losing your home or car keys can lead to anxiety when attempting to gain access to your residence or vehicle until the keys are found. This situation is both reasonable and valid.

40. Home Burglary

A burglary is a traumatic event that requires immediate attention, including contacting the police and securing the house. This serious situation is a strong excuse for absence from work.

41. Moved House Recently

Moving from one place to another usually involves unforeseen complications such as last-minute things requiring attention. If you have just moved house, then this excuse is considered reasonable by employers.

Pre-Emptive Excuses

42. Planned Medical Procedure

When you have pre-scheduled surgeries or treatments then they can justify taking time off work. In such situations, you should let your employer know in advance, which can strengthen the legitimacy of this excuse.

43. Pre-Booked Family Event

If you are attending a pre-planned family event, like a family gathering, wedding, or family trip then it requires prior notice. But it should be a valid reason for taking time off and approved by the employers.

44. Pre-Scheduled Maintenance

If you have to do a scheduled maintenance, like HVAC servicing or any appliance repair, then you might need to be home to let the technician in. This can be a believable excuse if communicated earlier.

Educational or Professional Development Excuses

45. Certification Exam

If you have a pre-scheduled certification or professional development exam then it cannot be rescheduled. So, it can be a valid excuse. Such exams are crucial for a person's work strength advancement and require dedicated time and focus.

46. Important Networking Event

When you have to attend an important networking event or professional conference that aligns with your career goals, it makes sense to take a day off. It can be a legitimate reason, and these events are critical for professional growth and opportunities.

47. Emergency Continuing Education Class

If you must attend an emergency continuing education class or seminar due to a sudden shift in professional qualifications, this can be a valid excuse. Meeting the demands of the industry requires immediate action.

48. Last-Minute Job Interview

Attending an unexpected last-minute job interview that can significantly impact your career path can be a strong excuse for absence from work. Such opportunities are usually presented unexpectedly.

49. Urgent Training Session

If you are required to attend an urgent training session that is related to an unexpected change in your job or industry, this can be a valid excuse. Training sessions that address immediate needs are unavoidable.

Uncommon but Valid Excuses

50. Legal Obligation

You have to be physically present when certain legal obligations like a scheduled appointment with a lawyer or signing important documents are required. This excuse is hard to avoid due to its importance.

51. Doctor’s Appointment

This kind of appointment can’t always be postponed or rescheduled, whether urgent or routine. Most employers will understand this excuse because a person's health comes first. Also, check our guide on doctor's note for work when you need to submit proof to your employer.

52. Medical Test

Medical tests are sometimes required to be done at very specific times, especially when fasting or other preparations are required. This excuse is quite convincing since medical needs always come before any other thing in different individual's ages of life.

53. Therapy Session

Mental health therapy sessions are essential for your well-being, and you may require regular attendance. This is a sensitive and important reason to miss work, particularly if prearranged.

54. Dentist Appointment

Oral hygiene necessitates routine check-ups on teeth as well as emergencies. They are valid reasons since such appointments cannot generally be shifted around.

55. Blood Donation

Donating blood is a notable act that sometimes leaves you feeling tired. If you are donating blood during the workday, this can be a bulletproof excuse that needing some time off.

Expert Perspective: The Psychology Behind Taking Time Off

Mr. Tyrone Armstrong, HR Manager at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), explains that "Taking occasional time off is essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. When employees feel comfortable using legitimate reasons to step away from work, they return more focused and engaged."

According to Tyrone, the most respected excuses among managers are those that:

• Are communicated promptly and directly.
• Don't create unnecessary burdens for teammates.
• They are used only when it’s necessary rather than forming a pattern.
• Show consideration for work priorities.

What matters most isn't the specific excuse but how professionally it's handled, Tyrone further adds. "The best approach is being honest about needing time while demonstrating responsibility toward your work commitments."

Excuse Effectiveness Rating: Which Excuses Work Best?

Not all reasons to call out of work are created equal. This effectiveness meter rates our top 10 excuses based on believability, how often you can use them, manager sympathy level, and whether documentation is typically required.

In this color-coded table, the believability, reusability, and manager sympathy for the 10 most common excuses are categorized relevantly.

• Green Color: High
• Yellow Color: Medium
• Red Color: Low

Reasons to Call Out of Work: Which is Best for Your Industry?

Different excuses hit differently, depending on where you work. However, here's what usually matches in various settings:

• Corporate/Office Jobs: Mental health days, tech issues, doctor appointments, and car breakdowns typically get the green light. "My VPN is down" or "I have a client emergency" work like magic for remote workers.
• Retail/Service Industry: Short-notice excuses like sudden illness, transportation problems, or childcare emergencies are most effective since shifts often need immediate coverage.
• Healthcare: Personal illness excuses need to be serious (they know the difference). Family emergencies and mandatory appointments work better here.
• Education: School environments are most understanding about family emergencies. Plus, illnesses and professional development reasons also work.

When to Use These Excuses

You have to use these excuses only when it's necessary. Plus, you shouldn't overuse them or lie to deceive your employer to take a day or time off. While it’s tempting to have a ready-made reason to skip work, overuse can damage your credibility and trustworthiness.

It’s also important to reserve these excuses for vital situations when it is truly necessary, rather than just a desire to take a day off. In some cases, it's more appropriate to simply request time off rather than fabricate an excuse. 

For instance, using an excuse for a minor inconvenience can lead to more scrutiny from your employer over time. You should always weigh the importance of your reason and consider the impact on your professional reputation.

How to Deliver Your Excuse

When you need to use an excuse to get out of work, it's important how you deliver it. Let’s see some tips for communicating effectively:

1. Keep It Brief and Believable: You have to keep your excuse straightforward and to the point. Plus, you should avoid over-explaining, which can make you seem less credible.
2. Be Honest: You should be honest when delivering your excuse. If you simply need a day off for personal reasons, it might be better to request it directly rather than invent an excuse.
3. Choose the Right Method of Communication: Formal communication is better than informal one to inform an excuse. But for urgent excuses, a phone call is usually better because it can be quick and personal. For planned or less urgent situations, you can use an email. Always consider your workplace culture and what is expected in terms of communication.

A formal communication method requires you to write a clear excuse letter/email to inform your reporting manager or an authorized person about your absence. This will help you maintain work ethics and integrity. Moreover, this etiquette is necessary to maintain your professionalism.

Here is a simple yet powerful excuse letter format that you can use for this purpose:

Alternatives to Excuses and Best Practices to Follow

Instead of relying on excuses, you can also consider alternatives that can help maintain your integrity and build trust with your employer. Here are some alternatives and best practices to follow:

a) Utilize Personal or Vacation Days: Whenever you feel like taking a break, always opt for your own personal leave or holidays. This way, there will be no need for any made-up excuses. It allows guilt-free relaxation.

b) Negotiate a Flexible Schedule: When it is already apparent that you often ask for leave (s), you can approach your employer with the idea of having flexible working arrangements. This can be through telecommuting, adjusting working hours, or compressed workweeks, which would enable you to have a better balance between work and family responsibilities.

c) Plan for Time Off in Advance: Whenever possible, inform your employer/team lead about the absence earlier rather than later. Most importantly, this is your responsibility when you are working with a team. So, your team can replace someone to complete your task in your absence. 

d) Use Compensatory Time: If your company offers compensatory time, you can use it to take off after working extra hours. This allows you to maintain a good work-life balance without needing to create an excuse.

Final Words

It's challenging to navigate the balance between your work responsibilities and personal life. So, you have to have a good number of bulletproof excuses that can be lifesavers in critical situations. Here, the important thing to consider is to use them wisely, which ensures that you don’t damage your professional relationships in the process.

Further, you must always remember that the best approach is to maintain open communication with your employer/reporting manager and use excuses effectively. Balancing honesty with your need for occasional time off will help you maintain both your integrity and your work-life balance.

FAQs

Q1: Can I combine multiple excuses for the same day off?

You should stick to one clear excuse per request. If you combine multiple reasons, then it can come off as suspicious or overly complicated. This reduces credibility and is against professionalism. 

Q2: What if my boss/manager asks for proof of my excuse?

If your excuse is genuine, providing proof shouldn't be an issue. If you have a fabricated excuse, this can be risky and, at the same time unethical. So, you should always use real reasons to opt for the personal day(s) off.

Q3: How often is it okay to use an excuse to get out of work?

Use excuses sparingly when they are necessary. If you use them too much, your employer/manager might not trust you as much. It's also important to use excuses to take breaks while balancing your important work tasks.

Q4: What should I do if I need to leave work unexpectedly?

If there is any situation that makes you leave work unexpectedly then inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Also, provide a brief explanation and, if necessary, offer to make up the time later.

Q5: Can I use the same excuse multiple times?

No. Using the same excuse repeatedly can raise red flags with your employer. Not only that, but it can damage your credibility. It’s better to always tell the true reason for taking a day or some days off.

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