Is it permissible to lie at work by saying that the manager or an employee is not present when they are, in order to avoid meeting certain people or answering calls?

Lying is a sin, and for this reason the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Beware of lying, for lying leads to immorality, and immorality leads to the Fire." Therefore, it is not permissible to obey leaders in lying. However, one can use ma'areedh (indirect speech), which is to utter an ambiguous word from which the listener understands something different from what the speaker intends. Sheikh al-Islam permitted ma'areedh when there is a need and an interpretation, as did Al-Khaleel (Abraham), peace be upon him, and the Companions. The Salaf (early Muslims) were keen to distance themselves from lying by using ta'reedh (allusion).