How to Play Hooky from Work

Co-authored by Donna Novak, Psy.D and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Are you feeling burnt out from working long hours? Do you simply want a break? Well, playing hooky may be your best option! Sometimes you just need a day to yourself to reset and recharge. If you don’t have any sick days or vacation time, skipping a day of work with a simple excuse could give you the mental health break you need. Playing hooky is easy, but it’s important to understand the risks. In this article, we’ll share the hows, why, and whats of playing hooky from work, so keep reading to learn more.

Things You Should Know

Consider skipping work once or twice a year when you need to slow down or take a break.
Come up with a valid excuse that’s to the point, so your boss doesn’t catch you in the act.
Spend your hooky day sleeping in, traveling, or hanging out with friends.

Section 1 of 4:

What does it mean to play hooky from work?

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When you play hooky from work, you take time off without permission.^{[1]
X
Research source} You may get sick days, vacation time, and/or paid time off, but sometimes you just need a break. Playing hooky is all about leaving work or taking the day off when you’re physically well but mentally exhausted. In other words, you’re not in the mood to work, so you skip your work duties for a few hours or the whole day.
- Believe it or not, playing hooky can benefit your mental and physical health. It's easy to feel burnt out when you work full-time, and time off can help you recharge, reset, and be more productive.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Psychological Association
  Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists
  
  Go to source}
- Playing hooky isn’t a sick day, personal day, or family emergency—although you can use these as made-up excuses to explain why you weren’t at work to your boss.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Play Hooky without Getting Caught

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1
Give your boss an excuse for why you can’t work. Call your boss or leave them a message on the morning of your hooky day to tell them why you aren’t able to work. Avoid using bizarre, over-the-top excuses so your boss doesn’t get suspicious—the simpler, the better. Here are some believable excuses you could use:
- Feeling unwell
- Food poisoning
- Have to deal with a personal or family issue
- Escaped pet
- Plumbing issue
- Aiding an elderly parent
- Consider telling your boss the truth if you need a day to recharge mentally—you want to be the best you can be at work, and you can’t do that if you’re burnt out or mentally struggling.
Nowadays, everyone’s whereabouts are recorded on social media. Avoid using social media before, during, and after playing hooky. This way, your sneaky behavior can’t be traced back to you. Scrolling is okay, but stay clear from posting honest status updates or pictures that show you’re not at work and not where you told your boss you’d be.
3
Keep your excuses and explanations short and sweet. When you go back to work after playing hooky, there’s no need to go into details about why you were gone. Stick to simple and vague explanations that are consistent with your initial excuse. You may say something like:
- “I had an upset stomach. But whatever it was passed, thank goodness!”
- “I woke up to the toilet overflowing! Thankfully, I stopped and fixed it myself, but I didn’t want to leave and return to a flooded apartment if it started again.”
- “There was a family emergency, but everything’s alright. Thank you for giving me the day.”
4
Work extra hard the following day. Now that you’ve had your day to recharge, make up for the time you missed by being productive. Working diligently can help ease any suspicions your boss may have about your day off.
- If you don’t feel recharged after playing hooky, that’s okay. Sometimes you need a longer break or extra help. Reach out to your boss or coworkers to express that you’re struggling at work—they may be able to lessen your workload or help you take more time to rest and recuperate.
The more often you play hooky, the more likely you'll get caught. Try only playing hooky from work once or twice a year to avoid suspicions. It’s better to get permission or have a reason to skip work than repeatedly coming up with excuses that don’t add up long-term.

Section 3 of 4:

Things to Consider Before Playing Hooky

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There’s always a chance you’ll get caught when you play hooky. If your boss or supervisor catches you in the act, you could be fired or lose their valuable trust. Weigh the pros and cons before playing hooky so you don’t make a decision you regret.^{[3]
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Take a look at your calendar before you play hooky. Are there any deadlines you haven’t met? Is there a scheduled meeting on the day you want to skip? If you don’t want to get caught while playing hooky, make sure you’re caught up on all your work and you’ll miss nothing important while you’re away.
Have an idea where your boss and colleagues will be before you skip work. Running into the boss while you’re supposedly “sick” or having a “family emergency” might spark an awkward and distasteful discussion. To avoid this, make sure whatever you plan to do on your hooky day is far away from any watchful eyes or listening ears.

Section 4 of 4:

What to Do While Playing Hooky

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One of the best things about taking the day off is not having to listen to your alarm. Turn off that pestering beep and let yourself lay in bed for as long as you’d like. This day is for you, and if spending the day in bed is what you need to recharge mentally and physically, go for it!
Use your hooky day to catch up on the latest movies and shows or comfort watch your favorites. Head to a movie theater and treat yourself to an extra large popcorn, or snuggle up on the couch with your favorite snacks.
3
Take a day trip. Visit a museum, national park, or art exhibit to enjoy some personal time while playing hook. This is a great option if you’re playing hooky on a Friday, meaning you won’t have to return to work until Monday. So, spend the day or weekend somewhere new or familiar that sparks your interest and makes you happy.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source

Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

Go to source}
- Turn your day trip into a self-learning trip by attending a lecture or seminar.
Give yourself a little TLC with some retail therapy. Spend your hooky day at your favorite mall or scrolling through the latest online deals. Sometimes filling your wardrobe is exactly what you need for a confidence boost.
If you’ve been stressed out by the pile of bills you need to pay or the dirty dishes in the sick, use your hooky day to complete all your chores and duties. This may seem counterintuitive—working in the house while you’re supposed to be relaxing—but tidying up your life can help you destress. Catch up on the tasks that have been taking over your thoughts outside of work so that you can start fresh in and out of the office tomorrow.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

Go to source}
6
Spend time outdoors. Have a picnic, go for a walk, or take a hike to reset in nature. When you’re cooped up in an office all day, sometimes all you want to do is bask in the sun. Use your hooky day to venture into the wilderness, leaving all your worries and duties at the door.
- Studies show that spending time in nature can heighten your attention, lower stress levels, and improve overall mood.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Psychological Association
  Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists
  
  Go to source}
Schedule a massage, nail appointment, or facial to soothe your body and ease your mind. You deserve a day of relaxation after working so hard! Silence your phone and let all those worries and stressors melt away.
Work can take up a lot of your time, so use your time off to do something you love (or find something new to love). Do you enjoy taking yoga classes, but your work hours interfere? Take a class to treat yourself. Have you always been interested in learning how to cross stitch? Head to the craft store and pick up a kit to try on your hooky day.^{[7]
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9
Spend time with family or friends. Sometimes the best way to recharge is by surrounding yourself with loved ones. Take the day (or even an hour or two) to catch up with old friends or hang out with your immediate family.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices

Go to source}
- If you’re feeling lost in your career and/or life, consider talking to your family and friends about it. They may be able to provide the support and guidance you need. Plus, they can help remind you of who you truly are.

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Tips

How a boss reacts to playing hooky is circumstantial. Every boss is different, and their personal lives and experiences may play a part in whether they accept a hooky excuse.^{[9]
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Act sick the day before you want to play hooky to make a sick excuse more believable.

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Take into account that your boss may ask for proof of your absence. If this is the case, avoid giving an excuse that would leave a receipt (doctor’s note, maintenance note, etc.).

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