Need a Good Excuse?

For about $25, The Excused Absence Network will provide you with excuse notes that appear to come from doctors or hospitals – or you can choose from a fake jury summons or an authentic-looking funeral service program, the latter complete with comforting poems and a list of pallbearers.  

Though the company’s disclaimer advises the notes are “for entertainment purposes only,” its Web site shows pictures of people sunbathing and playing golf using the fabricated excuses. One testimonial says: “I’ve managed to take the nine weeks off using these templates! It couldn’t be any easier!”  

They’ll send you a template so that you can print the notes after typing the name and address of a local doctor or emergency room. Those who choose jury duty as an excuse to miss work enter their county courthouse information on the form.

Or at least it used to.   Last night the web site, http://www.myexcusedabsence.com , was unavailable (perhaps the servers were overloaded with requests – it is a slow load).

Editor’s Caution:  There is a really tacky ad running on their web site.  Don’t say you weren’t warned.