The Best Reasons to Call in Sick This Summer
By Yael Kohen
While summer may be most associated with beach bumming and barbecuing, for bosses across the country it’s high season for bogus sick days. An estimated 39 percent of full-time workers play hooky during the summer months by calling in sick, according to a 2007 Workforce Institute survey. The most common days used for the summer sick days are, not surprisingly, Fridays and Mondays.
The survey found that among those who did lie about being sick, most cited the need for a mental health day as the reason. That helps explain the clinical term now attached to the phenomena — Seasonal Absence Syndrome.
Some employers take the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach to the issue by instituting so-called Summer Fridays, in which workers are allowed to leave early or take the day off completely. Other firms allow employees to work from home or on the road.
Though often used on the fly, it’s often best to maximize your pleasure by planning summer sick days in advance (why waste a perfectly good summer Monday nursing a hangover?).
Herewith, the best events this summer worth risking your job by faking a sick day.
Andy Roddick defeats Lleyton Hewitt
call in sick, US Open, calling in sick
Andy Roddick defeats Lleyton Hewitt, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals of the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio on August 20, 2005.
THE U.S. OPEN
The greatest tennis tournament this side of the Thames starts August 19. There's no better way to blow a weekday afternoon than scarfing down strawberries and cream while watching the sport's hottest players pound the Courts.
Democratic Convention
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democratic convention
THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
Be patriotic! Stand on the picket-slash-cheering line (depending on what side you're on) at the Democratic Convention on August 25-28 in Colorado. If you miss it, fear not. The Republican convention begins shortly after, on September 1 in Minneapolis.
Montreal Jazz Fest
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montreal jazz fest
THE MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Lollapalooza, schmollapalooza. The Montreal Jazz Fest runs June 26-July 6. Use it as an excuse to visit Montreal, the Paris of Canada. Oh, and Woody Allen performs at the festival on June 30.
Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival
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The 5th Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival kicks off in Beijing, China on June 23, 2007.
THE OLYMPICS
This one may require more than one sick day. The summer games in Beijing kick off on August 8 and wrap up on August 24. It may be too late to snag tickets to the high-profile events like gymnastics and swimming. But we hear table tennis is as thrilling as it gets.
local theme park
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local theme park
AMUSEMENT PARK
Rent a car and drive to the local theme park. Though weekdays usually draw camp crowds, it still beats standing in line two hours on a Sunday to ride a three-minute roller coaster.
love parade
call in sick, the love parade, calling in sick
love parade
LOVE PARADE
The annual gathering, billed as "the largest party in the world," usually convenes in Berlin. This year it's Dortmund, Germany, beginning on July 19. (Take off work the Friday before.) Expect raucous techno music, floats, costumes, and exhibitionism.
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