Either you take ill (or pretend to), have to attend a wedding/ funeral, or are simply exhausted from working late all month and need to unwind at home.

Whatever your reasons, the excuse you turn in at the office had better be legitimate.

Sure, you have our sympathies if you've just broken up with your boyfriend of four years and want to spend the day in your pajamas wolfing down ice cream, but don't expect your boss to fall for it. Because, let's face it -- excuses like that have no place in the corporate world.

At the same time, it's understandable that practically everyone hits a rough patch at some point and either can't or won't go to the office. But in order to maintain a favourable impression, you need to make sure you give your boss a believable excuse.

Some excuses for when you miss out on a day at the office:

'I have an upset tummy.'

This is the most common excuse, especially when it comes to physical ailments. But strangely enough, it works like a charm and here's why.

Imagine the following telephone conversation:

"Hello Sir, it's me, Anil. I won't be in today; I've got an upset tummy."

"Why, what happened?"

"Oh, it was the pav bhaji I ate last night, Sir. It was too buttery and now I'm running to the loo every half an hour..."

The last thing Anil's boss -- or anybody, for that matter -- wants to discuss is somebody's bowel movements.

And when it comes to women, bosses are even less likely to pursue the issue. Most will assume it's 'that time of month' and are happy to end the conversation with a hurried "Get well soon."

Just a note of caution, however -- your lunch at the office the next day had better not be channa masala, or you'll be well-caught!

Text: Sanaya Dalal | Illustrations: Uttam Ghosh

Also read: How far would you go to 'fit in' at work?

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