I know a lot of workplaces/bosses don't like it, but I'm of the opinion that your time off is your time off. It doesn't matter if you're in town or out of town, have the ability to get to work or not, if you have scheduled time off, you shouldn't have to make any excuses as to why you're not at work.

I'll never forget the time my boss call me to have me come in to cover a shift that night while I was chilling on a mountain looking over to Mt Adams while eating my lunch

I was surprised my phone even rang given the location, he was surprised when I told him I was 9 hours from my apartment

I sent him a picture to prove where I was

He was not amused but he did tell me to take a bunch of pictures since I was out there

All in all it was a good day

I’ll always send a quick text. I never need a reason for a no. If they say no, I thank them for their time and move on. Some people want more hours and are glad to take the shift, some want the day off. I understand both perspectives.

This is why you should live in a different town than your workplace. Even if it's the next town over, technically you're "out of town"!

Lmao there was literally an enemy like this in resident evil 5

I always claim to have something planned, too. Also, I do not answer calls or messages from work during my time off. I was given a mobile phone at work, which I leave at my workplace.