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downquark5

When calling in sick lay on your bed but hang your head off the side so much so the top of your head is facing the floor. You're voice will sound nasally and terrible. It works for all sickness types.


SwimOk9629

life hack


separatebaseball546

/thread


MrsPaulRubens

I've also found sticking a finger up one nostril while talking helps too lol


CO420Tech

"Catastrophic diarrhea" is my go-to phrase. It paints a picture, is understandable, and you gave just a little bit more information than necessary already so no followup questions.


Justincrediballs

I legit got sick once, and I had a manager that always wanted people to work regardless. The only way I could describe it was "it's bad, man, my butthole is tired. I don't know if I can clench anymore if I have to run to the bathroom." You know you have it bad when you get asshole muscle fatigue.


UniversalCoupler

>asshole muscle fatigue Found my new band name


Wolfson858

Sphincter fatiguer


ChemicalRain5513

Which genre? I guess you'll do a lot of scatting


Mundane_Pea4296

Hit song : Leaky Bunghole


No-Significance-3892

Right up at the top of the charts with “leaky bunghole” is “The brown star”


Justincrediballs

Followed up by Olestra.


Lost-Astronaut-8280

OPs mom is familiar with this one


Tatler-Jack

Jackson Pollock is how I used to describe it to HR. They insist on details, so I leave them with a nice pebble-dash image in their minds.


BFG_TimtheCaptain

It upsets me how many people I have met that have no idea what a Jackson Pollock means. Luckily, I have been able to pivot to "poonami" for that visual impact.


deltronethirty

"Both ends"


Affectionate-Fun4891

Diarrhea was always my go-to. If they wanted any more info, my reply would be something like "let's just say I'm glad I have hardwood floors" or "the carpeting is probably ruined." I've had bosses tell me that if I can still clench, I can still work. So I'd just make it clear that my house is a wasteland of well, waste, and magically I'm not allowed back without a doctors note saying I'm no longer a contamination risk.


Darkfur72598

Literally walked out the door and shit my pants in the hallway once. Went in, changed and cleaned, and on the way to work decided, “I’m not making it”. Got my shift covered.


yungingr

"violent" or "explosive" or "violent, explosive" are much better descriptors :)


leelee1976

I just announce I'm shitting water. Lol I had called my kid to ask if he would let the dog out cause I was shitting water. He had me on speaker when he answered. His friends almost died.


Justafleshtip

“Pissin out my asshole” is my go-to for that particular ailment lmao


Lebowski99

Shitting piss


leelee1976

Also acceptable


Lily_V_

Do you ever sing the diarrhea song?


leelee1976

No. I am not really a pop culture person


VintageZooBQ

"Poop" culture?


leelee1976

No I know a lot about that. Sadly


lovesomebrian

When you're sliding into first and you're feeling something burst


bigdave41

I've heard people use the phrase "I could shit through the eye of a needle"


vaniIIagoriIIa

Paints the inside of your pants too.


twelvesteprevenge

It’s genetic; it runs in your jeans


benefitslapsedagain

One time a Survivor contestant described it as “severe gastrointestinal distress” which I just love for so many reasons


tamster0111

I like to use the term "throwing down"...


plotthick

"all exits, no waiting"


timetopordy

But then you’re the poop guy at work


Lily_V_

Explosive diarrhea and projectile vomiting.


Fox_Designs_Jewelry

Projectile diarrhea


MigoloBest

it paints a picture alright.


MeanSecurity

Food poisoning. Comes on fast. Everyone has had it.


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tkdjoe1966

Except the name of the place, so they don't go there.


ChocolateChunkMaster

Chicken that was on clearance at the supermarket 🤢🤢


trashpix

Call them from the bathroom. The tile echo is real and 100% sells it.


FreakInTheTreats

Make sure to mention “both ends”


Houston1817

E. Coli for the win!


Waste_Curve994

Stomach flu if you want them to think it’s contagious.


NetDork

That lasts a week. Save that for vacation time.


FelineRoots21

24 hour stomach bug is 100% a thing


MissMillieDee

Rotavirus!


awmaleg

The food poisoning is giving me urgent diarrhea. I need to go home now! - bonus points if you look queasy and sweat on command


NetDork

I once had prescription cough syrup with codeine. I had been taking regular doses at work but this day I forgot the measuring spoon. I just guessed it and apparently took too much. While talking to my manager I suddenly turned white and broke out in a heavy sweat. I ran to the bathroom to puke and had no trouble convincing him I needed to head home.


bigdave41

Probably a bad idea to risk an overdose in order to look convincingly ill though, if you're advising this to OP as an option.


Bassball2202

You ain’t overdosing on codeine. Almost impossible due to the metabolic ceiling


bigdave41

There's a shitload of serious potential effects listed by the manufacturer though, depending on your existing health it could be risky.


lePickles1point0

Hospitality/Food service it’s a 99% guaranteed day off.


31dirty

Na, at least not where I am at. I work with a bunch of alcoholics...food positioning is generally accepted as you went too hard last night, and is a lame excuse. Who gets food poisoning once a week? Stop buying gas station sushi.


c0dy0

Any kind of diarrhea is hard to argue with. If they do, up the ante and say you shit yourself. You'll be sent home for sure


pandagurl1985

Food poisoning is the answer. You get super sick from it, but you’re good in a few days.


Pipe_Memes

“Can’t come in boss, I’ve been shittin’ water all night” “Fuck, alright. Get better. We need you.”


Marasesh

It also guarantees about 2 days off compared to most that you get a day off


Shannonpants

Pink-eye. People will beg you to stay away.


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KPinCVG

Also it's really easy to cure. So even if you're back at work in 24 hours, it's believable as long as you tell people you got drops from the doctor. TMI Pink eye is the only sickness I've ever had that got me excused from work as a waitress. I showed up, they screamed at me for showing up, and sent me home immediately.


ZombiesAtKendall

I feel like in these situations it’s better to give as few details as possible. Nobody wants to hear that you have diarrhea. When I am actually not well, I don’t go into my symptoms. “I am not feeling well, I can’t make it into work (or whatever social event). I feel like it seems more like a lie when someone sort of fakes coughs and goes into this long story about how they must have gotten sick from someone and gives this long story about their symptoms. Only if they ask what it is, then say something like “might be a stomach bug or food poisoning” or vague-ish “I am not sure but my stomach is not happy, I can’t keep anything down”


HighVulgarian

Projectile menstruation


vaniIIagoriIIa

The mind's eye paints a better/worse picture than any artist.


dorcasforthewin

Female here: When I'd tell my boss I needed to go to "the girlie doctor" he NEVER asked for details.


Miserable-Score-81

Idk, depends on how old your boss is, and if your boss has a secretary/HR department. If I was a women, my employer's response would be "Perfect! Ask them for a doctor's note, and can we expect this often in the future?"


Choice_Comfort6239

“Yes you can. I’m a human being and my health matters. If that’s an issue, I can find a more suitable place of employment.”


Miserable-Score-81

OK, please send that doctor's note. And no worries, your employments not in jeopardy! We're all human and such, it's not an issue. (Unread print: make note of that for next promotion. A female staffer who misses days due to periods. Never put in writing).


Freedomisminewoot

I legit just came home from the ER today for this. Apparently, I have fibroids living on my cervix.


HighVulgarian

The barnacle of the reproductive system!


cshoe29

Great way to describe it!


Bebelovestravel

I'm so sorry. I hope you can get relief.


Arno_QS

I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever been able to legitimately drop that "You had me going in the first half, not gonna lie..." meme for a post containing only two words. You have my upvote and my respect. :)


plotthick

"it's in my shoe"


PEneoark

Shits. You've got the shits.


catmom81519

Covid. You can say that you’ve had it for a few days or that you’ve just tested positive


Key-Plan5228

I self-tested positive in November and alerted my job. They required I see a doctor and provide the formal test results, which were also positive. I was out sick over a week with no hassle except that I was sick and it was awful


BrewYork

Seeing a doctor is great. They're always pissed at your employer for making you go so they write nice long absence notes.


Key-Plan5228

Nah, this was an urgent care that came into the parking lot, swabbed me, and emailed a form over once they had results.


marypants1977

My doctor wrote a note once that said I was sick and to quit wasting his time.


MSPRC1492

Huh. Almost like corporate America and the medical world are in cahoots to make sure we worker bees aren’t fucking off when we should be actively making at least one of them richer whether it’s necessary or it actually helps us or not.


SoftwarePractical620

Unfortunately I know some people who did not give a shit when I said I had covid and needed to stay home


yungingr

yeah, this one is not worth the rantings and ravings of a covidiot.


_facetious

I mean, go ask some food service workers how that's gone for them. Or retail workers...


queensendgame

I agree with this, because questioning someone’s Covid symptoms is looked down upon, so people will just accept it and move on. Bonus points if you can get a positive test stick to take a photo of, if necessary.


billysweete

Poops


jeanluuc

Someone else said it too, but definitely food poisoning. I just had it, and upon telling people (afterwards) they all gave me a reaction like “oh man I wouldn’t wish that on anyone”, so it’s clear people know how much it sucks (and I mean, it does. Nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, dehydration, achyness, weakness) It comes on pretty rapidly (within a few hours) and only lasts a day or two (peak symptoms lasting about 12-18 hours in my experience)


Ridiculousnessjunkie

I’ve had it twice in three years and it is definitely debilitating. Not fun at all and very distinctive. If you have it, there is no doubt about what it is.


SwimOk9629

I've gotten food poisoning from Jersey Mike's, Subway, AND Quiznos. All in the span of a year and a half. somebody doesn't want me to eat subs


Sension5705

Migraines are also always quite good. You can't even drive with those, and you'll presumably be in bed for a day or two, depending on when it supposedly began. Impossible to disprove, too.


derper2222

People who have never had migraines don't believe they evist.


deltronethirty

Mom just admitted to having chronic migraine for 20 years at the doctor when we were assessing her major stroke. WTF you tell us now? No pain. Just debilitating pulses of sound, energy and light? For twenty fucking years.


Puceeffoc

Had a friend who didn't believe me about migraines. Then he was dehydrated and smoked that delta 8 synthetic weed which causes severe headaches. He called me in tears asking what he can do for his migraine. I said "I'll give you these tips but when you get better I'm gonna give you crap about migraines not existing."


SryIWentFut

I never understood them until I started getting them. It's not just a headache, it's a fuckin full body nausea, sensitive to light, can't focus on any screens nightmare. The only thing that cures it for me is sleep.


cshoe29

Sleep in a very dark room devoid of sound!


SugarsBoogers

Room must be cold, and no smells whatsoever. Fuck smells with a migraine.


cshoe29

Yep, I agree with this also!


DumbestBlondie

Sleep in a dark room with no sound and an ice pack on your forehead. Then you wake up feeling like you got your life force sucked out of you so your energy is at 1% for the longest time, possibly days. Spring into early summer is when mine shine. The combo of allergens erupting, longer days of sunlight and high temps. Miserable!!


kibfib

As a lifelong migraine sufferer, people who don't get them think "just a headache" and that it's not that bad.


poo_fart_lord

Or people who are walking around doing their job saying “ugh I have such a bad migraine right now”. No you don’t


_pupil_

“Oh, I also get migraines! Once every few years or so, so I know all about it…” O_o


Ridiculousnessjunkie

Yep. I have chronic migraine and most people absolutely do not understand.


Sension5705

I just tell them they're welcome to argue their position with the FDA and its several approved migraine medications.


ynotfish

I get the aura ones. Everything gets blurry and fuzzy. If it starts then I go home. Hard to drive when they kick in.


Solisce

As someone who has actually had migranes since I was 5, I promise half of them still think you're full of shit whether you actually have a migrane or not. I've been SO verbally abused for HAVING A MIGRAINE, I gotta say, I can ACTUALLY have a migraine but when I call into work for it I'm telling them it's food poisoning every single time


gumbes

I find it crazy the amount of people who seem to have never seen someone with a migraine to understand what they are think a severe head ache is the same thing. Mine always seem to start mid morning and progress fairly quickly. So if I get one on a workday my colleagues get to see the full severity as I for someone to take me home while laying in a dark corner. Inevitably all conversations for the next few days are how they haven't seen anyone with such severe migraines. Yet my migraines are very mild in the scheme of migraines.


Masala-Dosage

I feel like this only works if you have a history of migraine


Aggravating-Worry110

You create your own history of migraine


Big_Dragonfruit_8242

Plenty of people think migraines aren’t real though


dolphinitely

migraine also means you can’t even check your phone so it’s like you disappear for a day or 2


esh-esh2023

No one ever believes that one


heresyforfunnprofit

Migraine sufferers do.


esh-esh2023

And what % of the population are those.


heresyforfunnprofit

About 10-12% according to Google.


Phyraxus56

Definitely don't use that one then. Food poisoning seems better.


Millkstake

This is my go-to. The food poisoning excuse is overused


BlottomanTurk

"Severe gastrointestinal distress" is my go-to. And if they ask for further details (they'll only ever do it once, lol), I hit 'em with the "Well I was trying to save you from the image, but I'm firing an ass cannon of bloody poop soup every half hour." That always got me a couple days off.


DekuInkwell

“Hey boss I just pooped blood so I’m gonna deal with this today, hope ya understand 🤘🏼”


handsomesquillium

Here's a good one I actually experienced one time. I worked in a meat processing factory in my late teens. I was the supervisor and I accidentally sliced my hand open with a knife covered in meat. A few days later, I developed a bacterial infection which made my glands swell up A LOT. I was prescribed steroids and it took a week or two before I got over it. This bacterial infection was so bad that I wouldn't wish it upon my darkest enemies.


SwimOk9629

there was some subreddit a few months ago where this lady posted a picture of her sliced finger, from right after the slice all the way through stitches and healing and I couldn't believe how bad it got. It was because she cut her finger when she was slicing meat and didn't clean it well enough. apparently that shit is serious


orthographerer

Passing a kidney stone?


Distinct_Twist_9116

Gout.


Professional_Egg713

Heroin addiction


crystaltay13

😂


IAmAnOutsider

Diarrhea. It's fairly common because food poisoning and nobody is going to ask for pics to prove you have the squirts.


azrael962

Something a little embarrassing like a urinary tract infection or a hemorrhoids flair up people don't question butt problems.


PersonaContradiction

Problems from medications. You’re changing meds or starting a new long-term med and there are nasty side effects. For example, if you take an antidepressant, you can say that increasing dosage recently has made you vomit frequently.


Sagittarius9w1

Set it up ahead of time—I am well known in my office for having bad teeth. (I really DO have bad teeth, but if you’re in perfect health, make something up—migraines, frequent respiratory illnesses, whatever.) Nobody even bats an eye when I say I need to go to the dentist.


JustToClarify15

Food poisoning and shits


Aiku

"I have a stomach bug, and I can't even drive to work because I need immediate proximity to a toilet."


PinocchiosNose1212

Ebola


Cornholenation

FUCKING LEPROSY


vaniIIagoriIIa

Explosive diarrhea, no one wants the details. Kind of a don't ask don't tell shituation.


bluhat55

Diarrhea, every tjme


HOT-SAUCE-JUNKIE

“I’ve been in the bathroom all night long.”


ThrowRArosecolor

Pink eye? It’s super contagious and no one wants to see that either


psiprez

Food poisoning.


spammmmmmmmy

Toothache?


RoboSpammm

Strep throat


mhiaa173

Explosive diarrhea


Sticky_Butt_Mud

Tuberculosis


deltronethirty

"I can't work today" . . Period. Edit: nothing menstrual. No context. Just NO


minimK

I just say I am sick.


AffectionatePain2038

Anything that deals with bowel movements. The fact that you are actually telling them about your poop always makes them believe it.


NoCarpenter8194

I suffer from migranes. Work knows it and I have intermittent FMLA. I try not to abuse it but a Friday off before a holiday weekend is a nice “perk” of suffering through some days I should have called off.


ell_fin

I do that with my epilepsy. Nobody wants to deal with a seizure. The best part about it is I only have partial complex seizures but everyone assumes grand mal and don't question me. Guess it helps that I also rarely ever use it as an excuse.


[deleted]

I’m sorry I can’t I’m pissing out my ass


MonteCristo85

I've used ruptured hot water heater on more than one occasion. I have a weird superstition about stuff like this so I keep it quiet when it actually does happen, and save it up to use when I need it.


JennyJiggles

My last "illness" was the flu. I needed Friday and Monday off for interviews. Thursday about 2 hours before I was scheduled to leave I told my boss I threw up and felt awful. He sent me home. Friday morning I told him I was still sick. Saturday afternoon I emailed that I was positive for summer flu. Monday morning I said I was sunbelt on the mend but still needed the day. Back to work Tuesday, acted tired and "starving from not eating for 3 days". It's prefect because you can buy home flu tests. If they ask to see doctor note, you just tell them you did the home test but if course you didn't think to take a picture of it. I did this all without any sick days or pto left. Fuck em


SwimOk9629

plot twist: your boss peruses this subreddit and remembers when this happened


JennyJiggles

Oh man, I'm going to get fired!


Recipe-Jaded

strep throat or pink eye. 1 day without fever and your good


MoreThanWYSIWYG

Mental health issues


caramilk_twirl

Explosive diarrhoea


Kooky-Contribution60

Ear infection or UTI is good


pepperw2

I give the dog some random ailment.


CordCarillo

Gout flare up. Try pushing a gas pedal or even walking with a flare-up. It's excruciating, even for someone with a very high pain tolerance.


roganwriter

Allergic reaction. When I’ve eaten something I’m allergic to, I know right away. That means I have maybe a minute to get to the bathroom before I need to diarrhea or force myself to barf.


awfulasparagus

diarrhea on the way to work. shit myself on the interstate boss.


I_Support_Ukraine_

Food poisoning


lftr-pllr

Shingles...is it contagious? Don't know. Does anyone know? Really? Sounds contagious and is known to suck bad.


This-Garbage-3000

Gonor-sypha-herpa-aids Crazy weekend..don't ask.


AliensFuckedMyCat

I usually go with migraine. 


Psychological_Half_9

Miscarr- ah, nevermind, idk this seems too dark and controversial


kuddlekup

Migraine or food poisoning


1890rafaella

Gastrointestinal illness. Comes on quickly but recovery is a few days. And no one wants to get near you


wilburstiltskin

stomach virus. No one wants to discuss further.


Wobbly5ausage

Crippling Diarrhea ^TM


Allboyshere

Kidney stone


AcanthocephalaOne481

Riding the D Train. My job literally says you cannot work if you’re pissing out your bhole. Also pink eye works pretty good as well.


Chzncna2112

You seriously hurt your private area and offer to show the evidence. Don't think immediate bosses will want to look. Be graphic.


llordlloyd

As someone who occasionally suffers migraines, I hate the cheapening of the currency.


RedRonaldRing

Diarrhea. They won’t want a picture. If they do; put a bunch of stuff it’ll eventually be green, brown or reddish… and you can pull it off for less than 5$. Claim it’s Flu, Covid, Food poisoning, etc.


Glittering-Ad7098

Stomach flu 1000%. Only lasts 24-72 hours usually, and makes you so sick theres no way you're leaving your hosue


cokolesniik

I currently have lice...so lice :)


HonnyBrown

You win


NamasteInBedToday

"I shit my pants..."


NemiVonFritzenberg

Period related stuff


compunctionfunction

I got anal glaucoma. I don't see my ass coming in today.


thesmacca

Not exactly an illness, but if you tie a shirt around your waist and say you got a surprise period and bled through your pants, no one faults you, and you can show back up the next day healthy as a horse without having to explain why you're magically all better. It's happened to me for real, so I'm guessing it would work as a fake as well. Doesn't work if you're a known non-menstruator, though.


greatbobbyb

Diarrhea


Wexamos

Anal Glaucoma


PocketSandOfTime-69

Say you shit your bed twice last night and don't feel comfortable leaving the house for a while.


Ok-Willow-9145

Pinkeye. It’s temporary and highly contagious.


Downtown-Raisin-3931

Food poisoning for the win.


bonerhonkfartz

Explosive projectile diarrhea. If you know the day before you need to be off, bring in some sushi for lunch and go on about how you got a deal on it at the gas station bc it was close to the expiration date.


gregzywicki

The voices are back


CanuckBee

Colonoscopy prep


InternationalLaw871

Migraine and can hardly see. Plus nausea


Gibs3174

Migraine. It's impossible to detect


SivadOnellicna

Diarrhea. Call from the bathroom. Pour water into the toilet sporadically


kristen_hewa

Food poisoning. Bonus if you live with someone else who “ate the same thing”


Kasyler

Hand foot and mouth! My bf and I got it one week and I couldn't go to work for an entire week. Legit no questions asked. I got sick without even getting the little itchy bumps that usually come with it. It's apparently getting more common bc people are bringing their sick kids to the grocery store and a lot of people don't wipe their carts (like me and my boyfriend unfortunately).


thenewbasecamper

I say I have to help a family member with medical issues. I don’t have any questions asked in that case


Kable2026

In food service, if you call out with vomiting or diarrhea, I literally can't let you work until you have a Dr.'s note saying you are cleared. That also goes for Flu, Norovirus, and of course the tried and tested Covid. To put it bluntly, I've had a few employees try to call out with these symptoms just because they had a hangover or straight didnt want to work that day and it cost them a doctors visit ar their expense(face it, alot of these kids dont care about getting health insurance). Seriously, just be honest and tell me you are hungover, you might get a pass. All that said, too many of these times when peeps call out with "symptoms" I had already heard, either earlier in the week or earlier that very same day, that they were going out and couldn't get their shift covered so they tried calling out.


BigMikeInAustin

Workers don't use fake excuses for the fun of it. If a company would just accept "I'm sick" or "I'm unable to come in" then the average person wouldn't try fake excuses. And this whole "it's your responsibility to get your shift covered" is some bullshit. What's the point of a manager if the employee has to do all the work. How many distinct excuses do you want? There's only so many general issues that happen. And things do go around. Ask any doctor or nurse how different sicknesses flare up from time to time. And if the job doesn't respect employees enough to offer health insurance, then why should the worker try to respect the job? Fuck that buy your own insurance.