A humorous take on workplace absences has captured attention online, spotlighting the lighter side of serious HR challenges.
- A video showcasing 25 amusing sick day excuses has become a viral hit on YouTube, with over 15,000 views.
- Excuses like ‘My fish is sick’ and ‘My girlfriend bit me’ showcase the creativity in how some avoid work.
- Adrian Lewis, a key figure behind the video, highlights the universal relatability of such excuses.
- Despite the humor, workplace absences incur significant costs for businesses, reaching £32 billion annually.
In a unique approach to shedding light on workplace absenteeism, a video featuring a compilation of the most outlandish sick day excuses has emerged as an unexpected hit on YouTube. Garnering over 15,000 views, the video presents a humorous collection of excuses that many HR Managers have encountered over their careers. This viral sensation underscores the creative lengths to which some individuals will go to justify their absence from work.
Among the many absurd excuses highlighted were claims such as smacking one’s head on the poolside while swimming, having a sick fish, sustaining a bite in a delicate place from a girlfriend, and inexplicably having a clothes peg stuck on one’s tongue. These anecdotes highlight the inventive stories employees fabricate, bringing humor to a topic typically regarded as a stern matter.
Adrian Lewis, the Commercial Director involved in creating the video, explained the inspiration behind it. He remarked, ‘Every HR Manager has seen some silly sickie excuses.’ Through humor, the initiative aimed to bring a light-hearted perspective to the serious issue of workplace absence, which, according to estimates, costs UK businesses £32 billion annually. Lewis emphasized the importance of addressing this issue without resorting to an ‘aggressive hard sell,’ a common tactic among traditional solution providers.
The video’s success can be attributed to its universal relatability; it resonates with anyone who has either made or heard excuses for skipping work. Lewis suggested the possibility of another installment, given the overwhelming response, remarking, ‘We may even release a second one, so watch this space!’ This approach reflects a forward-thinking strategy in engaging audiences with humor while addressing genuine business concerns.
The video adeptly balances humor with awareness of serious absenteeism issues, engaging audiences while highlighting a significant business challenge.