Dos and Donts for How to Win at Missing Work

Dos and Donts for How to Win at Missing WorkWhether you have some personal days in your arsenal to play hooky or need to scrounge some legitimate reasons to miss work because faking a cold isnt going to cut it, you can probably get some mileage about of this list of Dos and Donts. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) DoIve earned it.This option requires some prep work and some sweat equity. Come in early and stay late for a few days a week, then by the time you go to your anfhrer with a request for some flex time or a day off you will have earned it. Youll feel better about the time away, and your coworkers will appreciate you didnt just leave them in the lurch.Im Doing Professional Activity with a client.This only works if your workplace routinely has to entertain clients or meet with them outside the office. Do leid say you are playing golf with a client if you are a publisher and your client is an author or if you are an administrative ass istant and your client is Staples. You will also have to actually meet up with a client for some reasonI have a doctors appointment.The savvy timing of doctors appointments is one of the best, least-arguable routes to a free afternoon for Netflix and snooze. Schedule a check-up or a physical or a cleaning for 230 or 300 in the afternoon and youll be on your way right after lunch.I have cramps.Honestly I would be way too embarrassed to use this oneand I actually do get bodacious cramps and occasional accompanying migraines. But, if youve got an easily flustered male boss and are a female employee with some moxie, this could have you stopping by the drug store for ice cream and some Red Box DVDs before you know it.Im working from home.My husband is the fruchtwein honest Work-From-Homer on the planet. He applies all that extra time he saves by not commuting to the work he gets done, and then we both get to knock off together around dinnertime. This requires you to stay near your email for any pressing questions, but will definitely carve the edges of your work day when you need a breather.Noooooo. Just DONTIve had a death in the family.My students are still trying this one occasionally, along with car accidents, family engagement parties that ran late, and last-minute flights back from Australia. Clichs are clich and theres no going back.Im too sleepy.At my first job out of school we had an intern who fell asleep at his desk every day for at least an hour. It was baffling. It was distracting. His internship did not last longer than a month. If you cant get enough sleep, definitely get enough caffeine.I cant get my car out of the garage. (See also The L train isnt running.)Getting your car out, or taking the L, is something you have to do often enough to know how long it takes (or how to work around any common delays or obstacles).I cant find my polling place.Apparently this is a real thing that happened and not just a sit-in protest for a national election holida y. Find out where you have to vote ahead of time taking a whole day to do it is weird.I have a personal emergency.This nonspecific all-purpose band-aid for just not wanting to go to work doesnt score you any points or make you look responsible. I know someone who uses plumbing emergency every month or so just so he can go in late. Its fine if you actually have terrible plumbing (or a real emergency you can appropriately disclose later).Whatever you do or say to get the mental health days you need, dont lie to get it, and be responsive to your coworkers when you can I hope you and your snooze-button will be very happy together.