I had to take the day off work today. I wasn't ill, no... we had it sprung on us last night that the rewiring would (finally!) be done today.

You may not think that merits a day off. In most circumstances, where said employee isn't the head of household and head of household has no pressing engagements that day, it doesn't. I cleared all the space around my walls last night, thinking that would be adequate. This morning, half an hour before I was due to leave, the electricians showed up.

( Apparently my efforts weren't enough. )