Tips For Skipping Work To Watch Tournament

Your alma mater is due to take the court in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in a few minutes and you're slated for a full day of work. What do you do?

Relax, there are a few options that should allow you to watch your team that might not cost you your job.

Take The Day Off

If you plan ahead, you might be able to legitimately request the day off of work by filing for Paid Time Off and making arrangements with your boss. If you don't have the PTO to burn or you need to give your work more notice before requesting a day off, there is always the option of calling in sick. However, be wise with your excuses.

According to AllHealthCare.com, the best excuses for taking off a day of work include: I've earned it (tally up the compensation time you're acquired recently by working late or early); I'm entertaining a client (however, this only works if you have job that requires you to meet with clients); I have a doctor's appointment (AllHealthCare.com says this should get you about half of a day off); I'm working from home (the Web site reminds that this only works if you have a job that allows you to work from home, and that by doing this, you will have to actually get some work done).

AllHealthCare.com also warns about using a bad excuse to get out of the office. Some of the worst excuses the Web site listed include: There's a death in the family (the Web site says this is too risky, that if you get caught, you'll lose your employer's trust); I can't get my car out of the garage (AllHeathCare.com reminds that there is a pull chain that should allow you to open the door); I have a personal emergency (the Web site says this is too vague).

Be Strategic With Your Break

If you can't get away from the office for the whole day, there are ways to get out for a little while -- including on your break. If your team is playing over the lunch hour, consider taking your break at a sports bar that will surely be showing the tournament on television. Otherwise, if your team is scheduled for a later game, consider working it out to either skip your earlier break to leave work a little early, or wait to take your break until your team hits the court.

Watch The Games At Work

If you can't get away from the office and you spend your work day in front of a computer, you may be able to watch the games from your desk online.

March Madness On Demand, powered by CBSSports.com, offers users free online access to every game. After a quick registration, users are able to watch the game of their choice live. The site keeps in mind those who are watching from their cubicle at work, and has previously featured a "boss button," which will replace the game with a fake spreadsheet if your boss happens to walk by your desk.