A limestone ostracon, listing workers and their reasons for being absent on certain dates , labeled ‘Year 40′ of Ramses II, circa 1250 BC. (Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)[1284×1536]

A tablet held by The British Museum
and dating to 1250 BCE is an incredible window
into ancient work-life balance. The 40 employees
listed are marked for each day they missed, with
reasons ranging from illness to family obligations.
The tablet, known as an ostracon, is made of
limestone with New Egyptian hieratic script inked in
red and black. The days are marked by season and
number, such as "month 4 of Winter, day 24." On
that date, a worker named Pennub missed work
because his mother was ill. Other employees were
absent due to their own illnesses. One Huynefer
was frequently "suffering with his eye." Seba,
meanwhile, was bit by a scorpion. Several
employees also had to take time off to embalm and
wrap their deceased relatives.Others took time off to brew their beer which was vital to life in Ancient Egypt.