Survey highlights most bizarre excuses for calling out sick Don't feel like going to work? Maybe it's because you feel sick from reading so much. Or, maybe a bird bit you? These excuses are just a few of the many reasons Americans are using to call out sick, according to a survey by CareerBuilder. About one-third of workers called in to work when they weren't really sick, according to the survey, which is about the same number as previous years. Among the excuses employees used: Employee forgot he had been hired for the job • Employee said her dog was having a nervous breakdown • Employee's dead grandmother was being exhumed for a police investigation • Employee said a bird bit her • Employee was upset after watching the film "The Hunger Games" • Employee got sick from reading too much • Employee was suffering from a broken heart • Employee's hair turned orange from dying her hair at home Thirty-four percent of those surveyed said they used a sick day simply because they don't want to go to work; and 29 percents said they "needed to relax." Sixteen percent said they needed to catch up on sleep. The survey said 29 percent of employers "check up" on employees who call in - by asking for a doctor's note or calling them at home. December and July were the most popular months for calling in, according to the survey; most likely because of the holidays and summer weather. Click here for more on this story from CareerBuilder.