NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - More than one in three U.S. workers admit to playing hooky from work during the last 12 months, according to a survey by a job search Web site.
And some of their excuses stink, according to their bosses -- one, literally.
CareerBuilder.com says that its survey of more than 1,600 workers, including 700 hiring managers, found that 35 percent of workers admitted to calling in sick at least once in the last year when they felt well enough to work.
The survey also found that 10 percent admitted to doing so three or more times.
The three major reasons for giving a fake excuse include attending to personal errands and appointments, catching up on sleep and simply relaxing.
"Twenty percent of workers say they called into work because they just didn't feel like going into the office that day," said Rosemary Haefner, the senior career advisor for CareerBuilder.com. "One in four workers report they feel sick days are equivalent to extra vacation days and treat them as such."
Among the most unusual excuses workers gave for missing work was, "I was sprayed by a skunk."
The survey of hiring managers included some other creative excuses, such as:
I tripped over my dog and was knocked unconscious.
My bus broke down and was held up by robbers.
I was arrested as a result of mistaken identity.
I forgot to come back to work after lunch.
I was spit on by a venomous snake.
A hit man was looking for me.
My curlers burned my hair and I had to go to the hairdresser.
I eloped.
My cat unplugged my alarm clock.
I had to be there for my husband's grand jury trial.
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