Excuses to Skip a 1:1 — 30 Excuses That Actually Work

You don't have anything to say and they haven't read the doc. Ten excuses, plus a pool.

Ten hand-picked excuses

01

Want to come prepared; can we move to Friday?

02

Customer fire I have to stay on; rescheduling.

03

Doctor's appointment; rebooking on your calendar.

04

I'm at the offsite venue with poor connectivity.

05

Pre-review for our planning meeting; rather invest the time there.

06

Headache; let's pick it up Wednesday.

07

Standing conflict that just landed; rescheduling to next slot.

08

Travel day; rebooking when I'm back at the desk.

09

Caught in a partner team review that's running long.

10

I'd rather we do it in person Thursday when you're in office.

Or generate one

Click below for a fresh excuse.

FAQ

What's the most credible excuse for a 1:1 with your manager?

Want to come prepared; can we move to Friday? It works because it's specific, time-bounded, and doesn't require anyone to verify it.

Can I use the same excuse twice?

Sparingly. Pattern-match is the enemy of plausibility. Rotate from the list of 30 on this page.

Should I post a written update instead?

Almost always yes. A two-sentence async update earns more trust than showing up silent on camera.

More excuse libraries

This was, of course, a meeting that should have been an email.

Run the fake meeting simulator. Generate a bingo card. Be busy without being there.