"'The Cat Hid My Car Keys': Excuses Workers Make".

One classic:

Two years ago, one of Mr. Palmer's employees called out from work, citing a painful break-up with a boyfriend as a reason. While he says he approved of her taking the day off, the employee didn't show up for work the next day, explaining that she needed to spend some time vacationing with her new boyfriend in Santa Barbara to get over the old one. The woman no longer works for K Hotels due to a mutual parting, Mr. Palmer says.