Songbird
She rules her life like a bird in flight
This. Some ethicists describe honesty as one of many social values we apply in conjunction with other values, to varying degrees in different situations. Sometimes we place a higher priority on peace and compassion, like when one's ailing grandmother bakes a birthday cake which tastes awful but took considerable effort to make. How many of us would be honest if she asked how it tastes? And how many would deem lying out of consideration immoral?
And there are other forms of lying. Exaggeration, undercover investigation, wearing makeup, pretending to go along with the status quo so as not to rock the boat, denying actions or thoughts we're ashamed of, etc. I think it's not a question of whether lying is moral or immoral, but of general principles underlying what the best course of action is in a specific context. So, "honesty is the best policy" may be a general principle, but specific contexts may allow for this principle to be violated. And we value honesty in efficient communication, but it doesn't mean honesty is the right, good, or moral policy 100% of the time.
and is still in bed when he ought to be at work -- if the boss calls the parents and asks where their son is, the parent has the moral obligation to tell the truth -- even if it results in the teenager losing his job or being reprimanded. Simply because the results of telling the truth may appear to be negative or unpleasant, does not justify lying (and may actually be a dis-service to the child by trying to protect them from the experience of having to deal with the consequences of their actions.) In this situation, the boss has a right to the information because there was a breach of the agreement made with him regarding work time.