h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Aha! The one thing PMT is actually good for - excuse for a sickie. Especially if you have a male boss, who will very quickly get off the topic and not be inclined to ask searching questions.

You do need to keep an eye on your calendar though.

I find it's a more legitimate excuse to use with a female boss, not a male boss. I do genuinally suffer from severe cramps one day a month - my female boss is great about it. Any male boss I've had though has always viewed me with a "we-all-get-a-little-upset-stomach-sometimes-you-know-but-we-cope" look, or maybe cos of my "sensitivities" at such time that's how I read the look. I guess it might have to do with the fact that I don't ham it up. I just go to them and say "Look, I'm not feeling well today, I'm gonna go home and lie down." I can't stand the way some folks think the only way to pull a sicky is with the world's most pained look on their face.