Such behavior is causing employers to rethink how they distribute and characterize leave as part of their compensation packages, The Christian Science Monitor reported.

"Companies create problems for themselves when they have a policy saying that sick leave is only for the employee," said Keith Greene, a director at the Society for Human Resource Management in Alexandria, Va. He suggests employers combine sick and vacation days into a single "leave bank," allowing workers to use days as they choose without having to provide explanations.

"Employees call in and say, 'I'm taking a leave day. That stops the situation of lying," Greene said.