21 Interesting Excuses Millennial’s Used to Get Out of Work
By Katrina Highsmith – Gone are the days of the simple one liner excuses millennials told their parents/guardians/teachers to excuse themselves from school or childhood activities, “my dog ate my homework,” “I don’t feel well” or “my relative passed away.”
Fast forward 20 years, in today’s working world millennials use technology, social media, and smart devices to receive their news, engage and share content. Today, millennials are also taking on more work responsibilities to increase their streams of revenue. With the cost of living rising steadily, it has become the norm to work for multiple employers or explore various entrepreneurial opportunities. Millennials could be spreading themselves too thin. They may not be able to handle all of their work responsibilities or just flat out do not feel like doing it all.
Once many of us entered the workforce post high school or some form of continuing education, we were eager to take on the same or more responsibility for less pay. After a while, we started catching on to how corporations, Fortune 500 companies and even small businesses started to operate. Much is expected from millennials even when companies are offering less pay for what the generation before us was earning, unrealistic PTO, sick/vacation days, and little to no benefits (health, stock, 401K, etc.).
A few of these benefits have changed over the years to include unlimited PTO, a major incentive, but are we more aware of the fact that many of our unfulfilling jobs will fire or replace us in a heartbeat? Do millennials overcompensate with excuses because some millennials do the bare minimum at work?
Regarding characteristics of a millennial, in Antonio Neves article, “It’s 2018 and People Still Hate Millennials. Here Are 4 Reasons Why”, it states, “Over the years, we’ve heard that millennials are privileged, cocky, entitled, lazy, impatient and so much more.” It appears the excuses we attempted to use to get out of school over 20 years ago are either the same, just more elaborate or have gotten downright ridiculous in an effort to bypass work for a day, stroll into work late or wiggle out of a social obligation.
I have asked over 100 millennials between the ages of 26-37, what are some of the excuses they have used to get out of work, when running late or to opt out of a social event altogether. Well, I will say they are very interesting.
Quotes:
“I pulled a muscle in Yoga class last night and can’t come into work today.”
“My Mother had a nervous breakdown.”
“I think my dinner from last night has given me food poisoning and I need to leave for the day.”
“I spilled coffee on my outfit on the way to work so I had to go back and change.”
“My key has gotten stuck in the door, and I am awaiting my maintenance man to come and help me.”
“My cell phone fell behind my washing machine, and I couldn’t call in.”
“I have a tree down in my driveway so I can’t get out.”
“My garage door won’t open and my car is stuck inside.”
“My alarm didn’t go off, then my second alarm didn’t go off, either. I think the power went out.”
“I got pulled over.”
“I need a mental health day.”
“Someone slipped something in my drink. I can’t come in today.”
“My bathroom is flooding.”
“I locked my keys in the car.”
“My Mom’s hip went out.”
“I was arrested last night. The cops thought I was someone else (mistaken identity).”
“My alarm system is going off. I need to go back home.”
“I got coconut oil in my eye and running a few minutes behind.”
“I am late because I found out I had an STD and had to tell my girlfriend.”
Statements
“I always say my Dad died because I don’t even know my Dad.”
“I blame my daughter for everything.”
Katrina Highsmith is founder and senior brand strategist at The Highsmith Group.
