Unusual excuses for missing work: A new survey found that 32% of workers have played hooky from work at least once in the past year. The CareerBuilder survey found that 29% of employers have checked on employees who called in sick and 15% have fired people for skipping work without a legitimate excuse. More than 7,800 employees and hiring managers participated in the survey. Employers also listed some of the strangest excuses they’ve heard for missing work. Those included such gems as: “I’m convinced my spouse is having an affair and I’m staying home to catch them,” “My buddies locked me in the trunk of an abandoned car after a weekend of drinking,” “I accidentally hit a nun with my motorcycle,” and “I got sunburned at a nude beach and can’t wear clothes”.
Better than expected: Early September reports from retailers show sales are still falling amid worries about jobs and tight credit, but many of the results came in better than expected. As stores announced their results today, teen retailer Wet Seal and Macy’s reported smaller-than-expected declines in sales at stores open at least a year. The measure is considered a key indicator of a retailer’s health. The comparison is to a weak September last year when business plummeted during the financial meltdown. September sales also benefited this year from a late Labor Day and this year’s later school openings.
