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    1. Plant Operations

    The Craziest Excuses Ever Given for Calling in Sick

    Oct. 4, 2018
    Sometimes your employees just don't feel like going to work.

    There's a labor shortage in the logistics world, with more jobs than there are available workers. But that's not the only reason why companies are coming up short-handed so often. Sometimes your employees just don't feel like going to work.

    They could truly be sick or maybe they just need a mental health day. Whatever the case, the supply chain isn't operating at optimal speed because, well, some of its most essential members are playing hooky.

    A study conducted by CareerBuilder found that 38% of workers called in sick when in fact they were feeling just fine. Asked why, 28% said they just didn't feel like going in to work, but 27% did have actual doctor's appointments.

    Some said they needed to relax (24%), and 18% said they needed more sleep. Others just had to run some errands (11%). And those are the most believable answers.

    Whatever the reason, employees have become quite creative in explaining why they were unable to show up for work.

    Here are some of the excuses given to employers, as collected by CareerBuilder.

    About the Author

    Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

    Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

    She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

    Editorial Mission Statement:

    Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

    Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

    On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

    I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.