Is Facebook a valid excuse?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17385)
Canada
February 1, 2012 5:32pm CST
This is about finding creative ways to make alibis.
I have a friend who's also in management who was telling me a story about his staff's creative way of 'calling in sick'. Apparently, this girl posted her status on facebook, as being sick.
Then she called in sick for work. And since this wasn't the first time she didn't show up for work, she was asked to show a doctors note. Having none, she got agitated, and demanded that she was really sick. And that my friend can even confirm this fact with her status on facebook!
Question is, can this be a valid excuse? I know it's not, but since we're so much into social media, then is facebook just another avenue to make excuses for work?
What do you think about this?
Or better question yet, have you done this already?
6 people like this
22 responses
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
2 Feb 12
haha. how creative she was. she finds a other way to tell that she's sick (or is it only a trick? I don't know, but still it's creative I think).
even though I think it's creative doesn't mean I agree with what she did.
I don't think social media, whether it is facebook, friendster, twitter, and etc can not be valid excuses for work. in some place of work I know, ones have to provide some proof from their doctor. and a big NO NO. I have never done it. I think it's so silly. haha
2 people like this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 12
well if she posted it to tell her friends that would be no problem.
and if her boss was also her FRIEND that would be not problem either I guess. but well, I don't think that the system in the company wouldn't allow that nor the boss.
because if it is that easy then every body could make use of it wrongly.
1 person likes this
@marty3888 (2355)
• Acme, Michigan
2 Feb 12
I'm glad you know it's not. Of course it's not. And in these days of unemployment and so many people looking for a job and actuaqlly wanting to work I can't believe the amount of people who are lucky enough to have a job try to get out of working. I wish some of these people would just step aside so that people who want a job can have one.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
2 Feb 12
agree. these kind of people who underestimating what they got should step aside and give other who really wants it to get it.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
2 Feb 12
Just a lot of people take for granted what they already have.
And sometimes, you can even see other working people demand for more benefits. Yes, it might be true that they deserve more pay, etc., but they should also put it in perspective. Like other people who literally have nothing in terms of jobs and salaries.
Thanks.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
2 Feb 12
No and why would her boss check her Facebook? Really that would just be weird and unprofessional. And no, I have not done this. Instead, I usually just show up for work so I can get paid. I don't think that it is another avenue to make excuses for work as it obviously isn't a very effective one given that it didn't work. If anything, I imagine that social media would be more hurtful than helpful in this kind of situation.
2 people like this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
3 Feb 12
I completely agree that it could be more hurtful than helpful.
Their organization is in entertainment so it's acceptable that they have facebook accounts. But that's what I don't like about their work as the line of professionalism is a bit blurry.
Thanks _sketch_!
@anncherry (406)
• Philippines
2 Feb 12
Ahahaha! You can't possibly prove that you are sick just by posting on Facebook, or showing the post to your boss, or telling him that you posted on Facebook on that matter! It's just ridiculous. Oh no, actually, I think she's sick 'cause she obviously CAN'T think at all! XD Sorry. ;P
And I haven't done this before. All I do on a sick day is sleep. -_-
2 people like this
@kegster86 (60)
• United States
2 Feb 12
I would agree that your status can't be a liable excuse. If everyone believed what statuses said I could say I can't goto work because there is a bear waiting out side my door blocking me from going to work. I think if she uploaded a photo of her doctors note along with the status then maybe. But just a status saying sick is not enough.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
3 Feb 12
But I bet that if what it takes is just to upload a copy of a document, a doctor' note, people could be creative too. Specially if it's just a photo on the status that people couldn't closely examine. It could have forge signature.
Yet I agree with you, it isn't a valid excuse.
Thanks.
@TriGyn03 (84)
• Philippines
2 Feb 12
It is not a valid excuse. Social media is a good medium to spread issues like false excuses and lies. It is not acceptable in a formal manner...As a part of freedom of expression and information you can post anything on facebook and its acceptable but you have to have reasonable documents to justify until then its not a valid excuse.
2 people like this
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
2 Feb 12
uhm, no i am not going to do this and i have never thought of staging such an act myself going out of my way to post on facebook that i am sick so i could use that as a proof to my boss that i was indeed sick... its not as if my doctor posted that one. if i was sick, i would be in bed and not online posting in facebook :) he he
If i was the boss of that staff, i would also ask for her medical clearance or certificate and if she gives me that attitude, i would even ask why is she online when she should be resting, making me wonder if she is just making it up not feeling well.
1 person likes this
@stefsoriano (3)
• Philippines
2 Feb 12
I don't think Facebook is a valid excuse to calling in sick. It's just like texting where there is no real interaction after a message is sent. How will they really verify? It's like keeping distance so as not to be seen or heard. I haven't done this and I don't intend to do this. This is sneaky for me.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
4 Feb 12
I guess that's the drawback of social media. You can't escape anymore. Gone are the days when people can't reach you, and you can just say that you were sick. Nowadays, people can pinpoint other people's location quickly.
So much so, that this girl thinks that Facebook CAN be an excuse.
Thanks and welcome to myLot!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Feb 12
Wow yeah, it sounds to me as if she was just trying to set something up so that the boss would believe her. It's not a proper excuse because anyone can put anything as a status. I could say I won the lottery but it doesn't make it true.
Social Media is just too much a part of our lives now.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
2 Feb 12
No...I'm thinking a facebook status doesn't hold the same value as a doctor's excuse. At least not in my opinion. There are some people out there that will use any excuse they think will get them by. They can actually be quite creative with it.
My boss would laugh me out of the office if I tried that stuff with her. I might have to do it as a joke and see what she does.1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 12
It's an absolute no. I can be at a restaurant and update my status as at home, watching TV and doing nothing on my wall. The only confirmation that she can give is a note from the doctor. Even though sometimes the MC can be bought but it still a good alibi and even can be use in court.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56055)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Feb 12
Ha ha! Good try anyway though, right? Facebook has a day/hour stamp . . . plus a person could get their friends to make comments to make it more believable. Wellll, nice try, but it's not going to work. I already know a couple people who purposely make up stuff on Facebook - so if I were a manager, I sure wouldn't buy a Facebook excuse as "truth".
I couldn't get to work yesterday because was abducted by aliens . . . Proof: I posted it on my Facebook status from the spaceship! 
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
5 Feb 12
Haha!
First off, it's a good thing that the alien's spaceship has wifi that lets you hook up to the internet!
Actually, she made sure that the date/hour stamp of her status (of being sick) was the exact time she was claiming to be sick. That was to support her alibi.
But whatever she was selling, no one was buying!
Thanks.
First off, it's a good thing that the alien's spaceship has wifi that lets you hook up to the internet!
Actually, she made sure that the date/hour stamp of her status (of being sick) was the exact time she was claiming to be sick. That was to support her alibi.
But whatever she was selling, no one was buying!
Thanks.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
2 Feb 12
Obviously not a valid excuse, even though I rather kind of chuckled about it to say the very least. Then again, just because you put something as your Facebook status, does not rather make it true. For instance, if I was still on Facebook, I could put, "conquering alien worlds" as my status, but they does not really mean much of anything.
No this should not be a valid excuse. Nor should this even be entertained because that really does cause a slippery slope where Facebook gets a bit more relevance than it to the real world. Something that I quite frankly find kind of appalling to say the very least. Still Facebook status being submitted as evidence. That is a new level beyond anything. Kind of amusing though in a way.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
5 Feb 12
I agree that it is a bit amusing. That one would stoop to doing this. And even more amusing that she thought that anyone would buy it. Much less her boss.
And yes, even with acceptance of all the social media around, I agree that this is a slippery slope.
Thanks.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
3 Feb 12
LoL! That's quite funny!
So facebook can now be a proof that we're sick. She forgot something - she should have uploaded a photo of herself sleeping on the bed with ice bag on her head and thermometer on her mouth. Maybe that might make her boss believe her.
So facebook can now be a proof that we're sick. She forgot something - she should have uploaded a photo of herself sleeping on the bed with ice bag on her head and thermometer on her mouth. Maybe that might make her boss believe her.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
3 Feb 12
Oh and I forgot to answer the question there...
I don't think it is valid to use facebook or asked the manager to check my FB status or ask my friend. Every company's policy is to present a medical proof anyway. So far, I haven't tried that. I normally give a copy of my medical certificate especially If I get sick for more than 3 days or a week already. If it's just one or two days I usually sent a sms directly to my boss or call the office to let them know about it.
@shaggin (72252)
• United States
2 Feb 12
Wow lol people are so dense. I cant believe just because she wrote on facebook that she was sick that she thinks it proved the validity of her sickness. You can write whatever you want on facebook it doesnt mean your telling the truth especially in her case I think she did it thinking that she could get away with taking a sick day when she wasnt sick and truly thinking that by her writing that on her status that it was a good aliby. How silly.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
5 Feb 12
I think you've just touched upon something there! About what people put in facebook. Just because they put that in, it doesn't really mean it's true! Not only with their status, but everything else that people put in facebook that all their so-called friends could see. It's like a reputation that you have to keep up. I think this is one of the reasons social media isn't so good.
Thanks shaggin!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Feb 12
Ha, good one! No.. I've never lied on Facebook. Not that it would matter, nobody I work with is on my FB anyway except 1 girl who doesn't ever seem to be on it.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
5 Feb 12
I don't like having people I work with on Facebook either.
It is the same as Linkedin. My boss just opened an account, and I keep getting a suggestion from Linkedin to be-friend my boss. I stay away.
If we did became friends online, maybe I could use this excuse when I want to skip work.
Thanks kat!
Thanks kat!
@maezee (41988)
• United States
3 Feb 12
Well, you can lie on the internet just like you can in real life. In fact it seems like probably a lot more people lie on the internet than real life - it's easier to get away with. Facebook statuses and doctor's notes are way different, so this girl is clearly delusional. She should lay off the cough syrup for a while.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
3 Feb 12
I should try that and see whether it works! 
Don't think any HR is going to fall for that or accept that as valid. There are already a million excuses used for not turning up at work and none of them is accepted except a valid note from the doctor.
Well, there are some liberal doctors here who give their notes freely, so it's pretty easy to get a break from work without employing the help of FB.
Don't think any HR is going to fall for that or accept that as valid. There are already a million excuses used for not turning up at work and none of them is accepted except a valid note from the doctor.
Well, there are some liberal doctors here who give their notes freely, so it's pretty easy to get a break from work without employing the help of FB. 
@ReViewMeMedia (3785)
• United States
2 Feb 12
It's not valid, I could say I won the lottery on Facebook and it wouldn't be true. Doctors notes are the only legit source of showing you're sick.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
5 Feb 12
This can never be a valid excuse, no employer or even the court will take ones posting in facebook as proof , if one is ill, in my country , india, he/she has to produce a medical certificate from a registered medical practioner only..
Best of luck.
Happy posting, cheers.
Kalyani
Happy posting, cheers.
Kalyani
