Calling In Sick: Illinoisans Do It A Lot For One Non-Sick Reason

Look, it happens sometimes, at least to the majority of us who work for a living. Once in a while you don't feel well, or you've suffered an injury, or maybe you've got a family member who needs you right now, regardless of your schedule. Those are legit reasons for the call in to work.

Then, there are the not-so-legit reasons for calling out from work.

Ask anybody who's ever been a boss someplace about the strangest, weirdest, dumbest, or most confusing reasons they've ever heard someone come up with for calling in sick. They'll probably have several to share.

Some of the best ones that I've heard or read for calling off work:

"I accidently got on an airplane."
"I need to tweak my botched plastic surgery."
"I broke my ankle after my leg fell asleep while I was sitting on the toilet."
"I woke up in a great mood and didn't want to ruin it."
"I got stuck in the blood pressure machine at the store and couldn't get out."
"I got lucky last night, but I don't know where I am."
"My garage door won't open."

Those two are sick...that it's raining, that is. (Getty Images)

He's sick...after paying that much for the tattoo. (Getty Images)

Although I've Never Done It Myself (but I'm considering it now), A New Study Says Illinoisans Don't Seem To Have A Problem With Calling In Sick--But Then Going To A Sporting Event Instead

In spite of this state's combined records and winning percentages among all our sports teams, we're totally a sports state here in Illinois. So, it's not surprising that a study of more than 2,000 people by Betway.com says Illinois is the 6th most likely state to call in sick to work because of a sporting event.

The number one state for phony sick calls to attend sporting events is Utah, where 74% said they've done it.

Colorado comes in at #2, with 70%, then comes Maryland at #3 at 67%. South Carolina/California/Texas all tied at #4 with 65%, and Kansas lands the #5 spot with 64%.

Here in Illinois, 63% of the survey respondents say that they've faked being sick at work so they could attend a ballgame.

Of the 9 W signs, 5 are being held by work-skippers (Getty Images)

This dude has no boss. He can do what he wants. (Getty Images)

No faking here. He's a White Sox fan. (Getty Images)

Does Anyone Get In Trouble For Doing This?

According to the Betway.com survey, of the people who've admitted to calling in sick but going to a sporting event instead, 21 percent said they did not get in any trouble for it, 19 percent said they did get into trouble, and 17 percent said that doing it cost them their jobs.