Career Questions and Answers
Calling in to work: Should I lie or tell the truth?
Asked by royalj54
My attendance record at work is almost perfect. For the past year, I think I have been late once, and I think I called in sick once.
I'm in college, and hopefully this will be my last semester to get my Bachelor's degree. Well, I have a major test tomorrow, and I need time to study and to catch up on other schoolwork.
Mondays are the worst days of the week to call in, but it's not like I can reschedule my test.
I've already decided that I'm going to call in to work. Should I lie and say I'm sick or truthfully state that I need the day off to take a test and to catch up on schoolwork.
Let me add that my employer has been very flexible in the past to give me time off for school purposes, but I always got the time approved in advance.
What should I do?
A:
Best Answer:
Go ahead and call in to say that you are taking a "Personal day". That should work.
Good luck on your test!
A:
truth
Answered by Kirstie*
A:
dude be honest they will understand ur trying to better ur self i mean i definetly would
Answered by mo
A:
Be honest and tell them you need to take a personal day to do a major test and study, but that this is the only day that will be a problem.
Answered by Elaine M
A:
I think that you should just be honest and them the truth because the truth will set you free and good luck!!!!!!!
Answered by Moe-moe
A:
I would lie. It sounds like you did poor planning on your part.
Answered by betty_htch
A:
Truthfully tell them the problem, and next time study earlier. :]
Answered by stfu_x_lora
A:
Tell the truth.
Answered by Nikki
A:
well its always best to tell the truth, and if you know that they are flexible, then for sure just say you need more time.
Answered by Kaitlin
A:
Be honest.
They will understand.
And see where your priorities stand.
Which are in the right place.
Answered by Allora
A:
tell the truth
if the employer knows your in school then they will understand y u need to take off for work
Answered by insaneclowns5869
A:
Tell the truth, they will understand, and its not like they care!
Answered by Anonymouse
A:
My opinion, since you have a good attendance record, just call in and don't give a reason. Tell them you have some personal business to attend to. If you are a good employee they should be OK with that and you won't feel the need to lie.
Answered by politicallyincorrect
A:
just call in and say you're taking a sick day. you don't HAVE to say you're sick.
Answered by Walnuts
A:
Most places I've worked have been very understanding when it comes to school. I would be honest. Lieing could get you into a lot more trouble. Especially if they decide you have to have a doctors note, as my boss ALWAYS asks for.
Answered by ragdolltb
A:
Tell the truth. Bosses always appreciate the truth because believe it or not, they can tell most of the time when someone is lying. Telling the truth will help you to stand out in the company and your boss will remember your honesty in the future and consider you for things like raises and promotions.
Plus, you will feel guilty all day if you lie and won't be able to concentrate on studying.
Answered by Cathy
A:
Do you have to give a reason? Can't you just say you need to take the day off? If you have to give a reason, it's always best to tell the truth. It builds trust and mutual respect. If you tell the trust and are denied leave, then it is time to tell your employer you are looking for a new job because they are no longer an employer of choice for you.
Answered by YodasTatoo
A:
tell the truth, let them know what is going on
Answered by nvblondie4now
A:
Stick to the truth. Tell your Employer that you are swamped and really need the time off.
Answered by per diem
A:
Your employer will be more impressed with the truth. The old "I'm sick" gets old, and may make them ask for a doctor's note. Education should come first, the more you know, the further you go.
Answered by JZ
A:
Honesty is the best policy.
You were good with them so they are good with you. Don't jeopardize the situation.
Come straight out and say it. You will feel a load off your chest too.
Answered by Nightrider
A:
You should have thought of that before since your employer is so flexible. Do not lie to an employer...it will always come back to bite you. Tell them the truth and apologize for not letting them know in advance. They might let you work half-a-day. Whatever it is DO NOT LIE.
Answered by worldneverchanges
A:
Your employer should understand that tests cannot be rescheduled. However I would leave out the catching up on schoolwork part, just telling them about the test should be enough.
Answered by Carrie S
A:
Just call in and say your taking a sick day... That way it's not a lie, most jobs have a policy that they cannot ask what's wrong with you... This way, you don't have to say you want to study (In case that's not enough of a good reason) and you also don't have to lie!
Good luck on your final!
Answered by Frznoooo_Sam
A:
Be honest because if your employer finds out that you have lied to them (and they will through co-workers) then you will lose all credibility with them. Hence, everything that you have worked for and the relationship that you've built with your current employer will be lost.
Answered by carportdiva
A:
Well depending on your morol views its a choice you have to make. Personally I would be sick if I failed a test because I was at work so calling in sick is not technically a lie. But if you ca;; in to say you are taking atest and ned to study....the boss may take some offense to that. Good luck on your test!
Answered by AmmyAL1981
A:
Normally you should always be honest.
Otherwise it could bite you in the ass later.
I work in staffing at a hospital and if you are going to call in sick or cancel a shift, I would recommend giving lots of notice.
Espeically if you lie and it is found out depending on the story ( and performance you give.) Also company the might fire you.
If you do go down the lie route, just give a "reasonable" reason, like gastroentronitist ie. flu, food posioning but don't play it up, they will know if you are faking.
Good luck.
On the other hand, stay home stu
Answered by Tee
A:
Truth, they sound like they are pretty understanding
Answered by wild1577
A:
telling them that you need the day offto sudy for a test would show poor planning on your part and they may not like that very much....
if you're sick..it becomes their problem because they care about their employees well being...
if you have a test but allowed yourself to be scheduled anyway-they dont care. If you fail your test that sucks for you but they dont care...as far as they are concerned your job should be your first priority
I'm not condoning lying to your bosses but in this case it might be best....at least then you wont risk losing hours later because they dont think you can handle it.
Answered by toninicole143
A:
if your employer already knows your situation, you should be fine to tell the truth.
you don't say though what type of business you are in and whether or not you missing monday will put them in a bind. they may feel you should have planned better, as you knew the test was coming up and could have asked off.
is this the type of job you can work a 1/2 day if you are putting them in a bind? in the end, you have to do what you can live with on Tuesday when you face your boss...and the rest of the time.
Answered by hb232
A:
the truth, because if you lie you might not get away with it, and you will feel guilty for not telling the truth.
Answered by ahmad a
A:
Ah come on, you can do it! dont call in, I bet it will all work out just fine. show them how strong you are !!!!!!!!!
Answered by Tina J
A:
If you have worked there for any length of time, do you not have any personal days? Normally you can take those w/o having to ask weeks in advance. Will this job be used as a reference once you get your degree? If not, then tell them you are sick. But more than likely, if you have good repor with your boss, he would let you have the day off if you told him about the big test. If they find out you lied, that would might hurt you later. just a thought!
Answered by Pony B
A:
The truth is your best bet IMO if you know your boss well and you think he/she will understand the situation. It sounds as if you have been pretty much a model employee in terms of attendance and showing up on time. I guess you have to gauge how you think the persons that wield the power at your job will react to you telling them the truth. Taking a sick day is safe and they probably will not question it. If I were your boss, I would respect that you are trying to better yourself by improving your education, but if that Bachelors Degree means that you will quit the company to seek a higher level of employment, it might make the boss nervous and you are better off saying that you are sick.
Answered by bubba
A:
well I know that being truthful is right and good, however it doesn't always reap good outcomes. I guess it would really depend on your boss. I'm not promoting a lie but if telling the truth is only going to hurt you then sometimes you end up telling people what they want to hear. The truth is when you are working for someone they don't necessarily care about your personal life even if your education benefits them in the end. Your employer really only cares about you showing up for work. Does your school give you a class schedule with the dates of your tests and finals? If so try in the future to schedule time off around test dates if it is possible to ensure time needed for study and a replacement for your boss. I know schooling and work is very difficult been there and done that. Good Luck
Answered by carmella
A:
You should tell the truth. I'm guessing this is a big test so you should let him know that and add in that in.
Answered by Jared S
A:
tell them you have a tummy virus. say i won`t be in today i have a tummy virus i will ring you to let you now when i will be back do not tell them you will be back tomorrow they will see right through this. then ring them up the day after and say i am feeling alot better. i will be back tomorrow sounds more genuine. then when you go back everyone will be saying how are you you just say not right yet but i am better than i was thanks for asking.
Answered by nightrideryebabey
A:
Since your employer has been flexible in the past, why did you not ask off in advance this time? Honesty is the best policy. I know that is cliche, and old fashioned, but accurate none the less. I think the question is pointed at the fact that you are definitely calling in, but just want advice on whether to lie or not. But I think that to give you my genuine and sincere advice on what you should do, I should say this: don't call in at all. Stay up all night, cram in study at breaks, etc. Do all that you can to fulfill your obligations to both your studies and your employer. Let the sleep deprivation teach you a lesson. Next time don't get behind on schoolwork. Then you want have to "catch up".
Answered by Godsgr8
A:
By an overwhelming majority-tell the truth!
Answered by Barry auh2o
A:
I say since you have an almost perfect record than teling a white lie about being sick because you absolutely need the day off is the way to go. Since you haven't given your boss a heads up and the fact it is a Monday, he's going to wonder where your responsiblity is. For example, can you honestly say that from Friday night, all day Saturday, all day Sunday that you've been studying for this test? If you call him on Monday requesting the day off for school work, he's going to think you were out all weekend having fun with your freinds and realized by Sunday you needed extra time. That's what I would think. Since you've kept an outstanding attendence record you will be afforded this one small white lie, but don't do it too often. You won't be considered as someone they can count on.
Answered by Brendan M
A:
I would call in sick- they really don't need to know your business. Also if you tell them the truth, in the long run, they will use it against you. Anytime you are out from now on, they will always think that you are putting them off for school.
Answered by kelliwpns
A:
Always be honest. If you lie it will come back and bite you later.
Answered by ModelFlyerChick
A:
Based on what you've said I would tell the truth. In my experience, many companies are understanding when it comes to school.
Answered by Amber K
A:
Tell the truth. Always. You have a great record. Just assure them this will not become a habit.
Answered by legal aide
A:
If you have personal days and have any left then take a personal day. If not then can you take a vacation day from your annual leave? Calling in sick when you're not and they find out can lead them to not trust you, which isn't good. If your bosses know that you are in school just tell them that you need the day to study. Next time tell them that you have a big test when you find out about it and arrange to have the day off before hand.
Either way - good luck.
Answered by tetlitea
A:
Be truthful Darling,that is the key to success since you've never done this before your employer will understand.
Answered by Loveth
Best Answers are selected by the person who asked the question or other Yahoo! users.
Find out more at
Yahoo! Answers
