How to. all in sick?

So you have to call in sick to work, but how do you do it? When you're under the weather, it's likely the last thing you want to contemplate ‒ but there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. Read on as we dissect how best to notify your employer of ill health and that you should stay home.

First and foremost, it's important to understand that you mustn't feel guilty about not feeling well and taking a sick day; we all get sick now and again, regardless of rank or role. If you know that your ability to work will be hampered by illness, or that you might pass something on to colleagues and co-workers, have no hesitation in calling in sick.

Every company operates differently when it comes to sick days, so making sure you get in touch with the correct person as soon as possible is critical. If you aren't familiar with your employer's protocols, reference the employee handbook or ask a colleague for advice. If they aren't too sure either, your best bet is your immediate superior, whether that's a shift leader, supervisor, or line manager.

Once you've decided who you'll contact, your next question is how to do so. You've got three real options ‒ phone, email, and text ‒ and each one has pros and cons.

A phone call, the traditional method, adds a personal touch and a sense of sincerity, so it's a good option if there's a trust gap that needs to be bridged. There is a risk, however, of getting sucked into a lengthier conversation than you bargained for, which isn't ideal when your main priority should be rest.

Given that, a text message might seem appealing. It's certainly an easier option than picking up the phone, but it could be construed as overly personal and unprofessional. Unless you're on particularly good terms with your boss, it's probably best to rule it out.

That leaves email. This is the safest choice for sick day correspondence. You can send it in at any time, keep it concise as you like, and have no fear of being seen as unprofessional.

When it comes to calling in sick, brevity is the name of the game. In no more than one or two sentences, let them know that you're too unwell to come to work, touching only briefly on what illness or condition you're suffering from.

Avoid overdramatised language at all costs, as it'll only cast doubt on the authenticity of what you're saying. Instead, if you feel the message is a little too terse, add a line thanking your boss for their understanding and express an eagerness to get back to work as soon as you're fit and well.

Mental illnesses like stress, anxiety, and depression are on a par with physical ailments, which means you have as much of a right to take time off and get out of work if you develop symptoms.

Calling in sick in these cases can pose more of a personal dilemma, as speaking about a mental health condition can seem challenging. Therefore, it's more important than ever to keep your message concise; simply state that you need to take a little time for your mental health, or that you've been suffering from stress and need some rest.

In the UK, you have a right to take time off work to care for an unwell dependent ‒ this is widely known as "compassionate leave." Your employer isn't obligated to offer any pay during this period though.

Notifying your boss as soon as possible that you need time off to look after sick family members is much the same as doing so for yourself: a brief, informative note that lays out the facts without going into too much detail.

Whether it's an interview for a new job or a social engagement you couldn't get out of, sometimes you find yourself needing to free up a bit of time with a less-than-truthful sick day call. This is generally not recommended, but employees have been known to do it nonetheless.

If this is the case for you and you are not actually sick, fight the urge to spin your boss or employer an elaborate yarn, as you'll only find yourself tripping over the details at a later date. Instead, go with something simple and tricky to disprove, such as a stomach bug or bad cold. And a word of warning: don't be posting upbeat pictures on social media, as those can expose you quickly!

To: manager@email.co.uk

From: employee@email.co.uk

Subject: Unwell Today

Dear Sarah,

I have woken up with a high fever and cough this morning, so I'll have to take a sick day.

I will keep you posted on my recovery. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

All the best,

Peter

Struggling with your CV? Get a free CV review for feedback that can help you to improve your job search.

Your health is an important asset for your life, personal and professional. Somehow, though, it's too easy to take it for granted or deprioritize health issues.

So often we're somewhere between sick and healthy — it's not always obvious. I might not feel like running a 10k or going to a social gathering, but does that mean I'm too sick to work?

When we all worked together in person, we all probably had opportunity to wish that a co-worker had stayed home rather than bringing their coughing and sneezing into the office. At the same time, many of us probably dragged ourselves in to avoid missing an important meeting or face-time with a manager.

Now with so many of us working remotely, it's even harder to know when and how to call in sick. Some people stop everything at the first signs of a serious cold, stomach bug, or other illness. That might seem extreme, but it is a good idea to call in sick and take a pause to rest and regroup before you become seriously ill, especially those who are working in-person. This is even more true in light of the pandemic when we know that extra care can reduce the spread of disease.

Beyond sickness, sometimes your mind and body simply need a break from responsibilities.

Whether for a sick day or to enjoy a day off—workers often find it difficult to inform their managers that they need sick leave.

According to a 2020 Zippia survey, 52% of participants claimed to have faked an illness to enjoy a day off from work. Another survey had 28% of respondents who felt the need to make up a story despite qualifying for time off.

Employees tend to feel uncomfortable at the thought of missing work. This may be because of viewing the illness as too minor for time away. Other times, workers fear that supervisors will consider the illness/mental break a mere excuse to get out of work. While these are valid worries, a needed break from work doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience.

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), workers can take up to four months off if they meet all of the requirements specified in the law. Employers and states may decide whether or not medical leave is paid although some states, such as New York, California, and Maryland, mandate paid leave for workers.

While the FMLA covers serious conditions as well as giving birth and caring for a new child, most of the time, your health needs will be about calling in sick for a day or two.

This deep-dive will explore the types of breaks you need from work, or if a break is even necessary. You’ll learn how to call in sick, and the dos and don’ts when applying for a leave. For employees who have applied for sick time off, this guide will examine the steps to take when calling in sick.

Deciding to take time off work can be difficult. You may have pressing deadlines or team members that depend on your input. Perhaps you’re also unsure of company policy towards taking non-sick days off. Research shows that 9 in 10 employees report going in to work sick— around 54% do so because they have too much work to do.

Despite having legitimate concerns, presenteeism often does more harm than good. Workers will often overextend themselves. This often leads to lower quality work than they would have produced at full health.

If you’re struggling to decide whether or not to call in sick, the following questions can be a useful guide.

When you are showing the telltale signs of an illness, taking the day off to rest is an appropriate step to take. This distance from work is important. It is especially so where the symptoms on display might be contagious to others. It isn't just about your personal decision to "push through" or not.

Other times, your symptoms (such as uncontrollable coughing or vomiting) may be disruptive to colleagues. These symptoms require time away from the office even if you feel fine.

In certain cases, you may not feel particularly sick, but your energy or mental capacity to work can feel low. These are legitimate reasons to take time off work.

For those who have some in-person work, there are times when social and personal interactions at work can feel too much to bear. Waking up with the thought of commuting to and from work today can be overwhelming. An in-person meeting might feel like a personal affront or simply exhausting.

In these cases, consider whether your work can be done remotely for a day or two. Reach out to your supervisor with the request and a proposal for how you will handle crucial work from home.  Applying for a remote day can be a welcome substitute for sick leave.

In many organizations today, working remotely is not a big deal so it might require nothing more than dropping an email to your team to let them know. Follow the policies and norms of your team, and be clear about whether you are taking a day off or just working remotely.

Working from home is also suitable when you come down with a mild illness, but can complete your tasks for the day.

If you are feeling burned out and need time to relax—a mental health day can be the most appropriate step to take.

A personal day off can hit the reset button necessary to recharge energy levels. Some company policies permit such days off without specified reasons. Where this does not apply—sick or leftover vacation days are other options.

Not sure what to do on a mental health day? These tips will help you rest and bolster your well-being just like a bowl of chicken noodle soup might help if you have a cold.

If any of these feelings of exhaustion, burnout, or cynicism apply to you, taking the required time away from work is in your best interest. This is especially true when you’re not in the habit of skipping work. If you find that you are frequently skipping work or experiencing these symptoms, it's time to re-evaluate whether your role, organization, and work fit your needs, skills, and personal values.

Calling in sick and asking for time off work can be in your best personal and professional interest. But taking time away from work doesn't automatically erase duties you were originally assigned to execute.

Work may be re-assigned, suspended, or delayed pending your return. This makes it very important to properly plan and communicate activities that need to be addressed when you are missing work.

The following steps are a useful guide for calling in sick to work:

Communication is crucial when calling in sick. If you notice signs of burnout or feel under the weather, the employee handbook can direct your next steps and internal communication policies. The handbook may lay out the sick leave policy, whom to speak with, and how the process should be carried out.

In most companies, this may require informing your supervisor that you’ll be out for some time. Other organizations provide online portals. Here, employees input sick days in line with administrative requirements.

It’s important to follow company stipulations when taking time off work. This can help with redistributing tasks and keeping the organization running smoothly.

When taking time off work, it’s essential and courteous for your employer to know on time. Where possible — a day’s notice, or communicating early in the day can be a big help.

One thing to avoid when sharing your needs is over-explaining. Your employer doesn’t need to know every symptom or every move you’ve made to feel better. Simply letting them know you aren’t feeling your best should suffice.

In cases where you are too weak to communicate with your manager, a family member can inform work on your behalf.

Besides your employer, team members should also be notified of your time away from work. This makes sure they can work around your absence and can plan better for re-distributing the workload.

It’s very important to keep teammates clued in if group projects or team efforts are common.

In some companies, the sick leave policy stipulates proper documentation for proof of absence. This means taking care to provide a doctor’s note, evidence of a doctor’s appointment, or other requirements when planning a return to work.

This should not apply when time off work is to recover from burnout, or for a mental health day.

Because time off work is temporary, it is important to make provisions for your return to the office. This means letting team members know of pending tasks. It is also informing them of needed work processes, etc.

Proper planning will permit a seamless transition during your absence. It will also ensure a smooth return to work. This is even more important, and requires some thought, when you are taking leave rather than a day or two.

As a bonus, throughout your medical leave/mental health rest—be careful using social media. The last thing you want is for your employer or teammates to watch your posts at a time set aside for rest.

While it is common to call in sick, this process doesn’t have to follow a strict format. In some organizations, a supervisor may be told of a sick day off via text message or email. A Zippa survey showed that 25% of worker respondents relay news of their sick leaves via text.

The approach to take may depend on the relationship between manager and employee. Where it is normal to communicate via text, this mode may be chosen. Calls are preferred where this is the typical method of speaking.

Whether illness or fatigue has led to sick leave, there’s a responsibility to inform superiors about your absence.

There are different scenarios for how to convey the information and make sure the message is passed along to everyone who needs to be informed. Some types of work and organizations might have very formal requirements.

It's worth noting that how you call in sick also depends on your reputation as an employee and coworker and your history and relationships with others. If you have a history of underperformance or not being fully responsible or truthful, your manager may give your request more scrutiny. Team members may be less helpful about picking up tasks for you. This is just one more reason to make sure you invest in building positive working relationships — you never know when an unexpected illness will require you to lean on others.

Depending on your reasons, these are tips to follow when telling a supervisor about your time off:

For new employees, first impressions are important when interacting with colleagues and supervisors.

If you’re on the first day or week at a new job, it can feel embarrassing to ask for a sick day off. You don’t want to appear to struggle with the workload, or worse—come off as a slacker.

But while it can be difficult to make requests, your health is a priority for your well-being. Without being in top shape, your performance at work can suffer.

If you have a chronic health condition that will affect your ability to work more frequently, consider how much of your health status you feel comfortable revealing to the HR department or your new manager proactively.

For non-chronic conditions, explain your limitations and concerns about passing illness to other workers. This should be done early so replacements can be found to take on your critical duties. Where possible, give an estimate for a return to work. If you feel up to it, you may check in with your manager to see how the team can work around your absence.

Showing this consideration can be endearing to colleagues and superiors. This time away should be used to rest and build up strength for a return to work.

When working from home, the lines between a work-life balance tend to blur. Here, the temptation to push through an illness, mental fatigue, or burnout is always present.

However, the last thing your body needs is exertion in delicate moments. Calling in sick from home may follow the same process as an in-office request. Your supervisor or other stipulated workers should be informed.

This communication can be made via phone call, text, or email—depending on what your manager has established as preferred methods of communication. If possible, you can share upcoming tasks and other expectations. This permits planning around your sick time off.

While there are set ways to call in sick at work, there are unspoken mistakes to avoid in your leave application. These include:

It’s good practice to inform managers and employers about your sick leave early in the day or week. However, this should not be done in a way that harms your health.

Managers should be informed by the official start of the workday, between 8-9 am. This does not require setting an alarm for 5 am to share health updates with superiors. If you go to bed feeling poorly, it is reasonable to wait until the next morning to determine whether or not you'll be able to work. The exception is if you do shift work that is critical and difficult to cover at the last minute. If that is the case, follow the guidance of your organization and make a decision earlier.

When informing a supervisor about your day off, it’s advisable to keep things brief. Over-explaining the need for time off, or your every symptom can be too much information.

Instead, be honest but maintain vagueness about the nature of your illness unless more explanation is requested. This is especially where sickness is fronted for a mental health day. Go straight to the point to save time. A too-elaborate story can arouse both irritation and suspicion.

It’s easy for guilt to creep in when asking for a day off. But with your physical or mental health at stake, you should avoid over-extension.

Steer clear of offering to work while you are also sick unless you feel ok and are staying home primarily for your comfort. When you're ill you need to build back strength. Where possible, avoid work-related tasks as the body and mind rest and heal. Of course, use your best judgment. And, if you find that you are taking sick days all the time, it's worth checking in with both a health care practitioner and your own values and motivations to get to the root cause.

Under the FMLA, workers are permitted mental health days to care for a family member or to manage personal issues. Mental health days may be classified under "employee episodic conditions." These conditions make up the most common FMLA leave requests.

Because FMLA is restricted to employers with above 50 workers, there's a chance your organization may not provide for this leave. Covered or uncovered employees can use the following guidelines when applying for mental health days away from work:

Once your supervisor is aware of your time off, there are next steps to take to ensure a hitch-free sick leave.

As discussed, your colleagues should be brought into the loop. Where you lead a team, are engaged in a pending project, or are otherwise on a deadline—your teammates should be brought up to speed to plan around your leave.

Once done, your automatic email response/recorded phone message should reflect your absence. This will keep clients and other stakeholders informed of your time away.

Most importantly, your time away should be spent resting and refreshing your body and mind for a return to work.

It’s more common than you might think. A Zippia survey reports that 52% of respondents have faked sickness to get out of work.

What's the best way to notify your manager that you won't be in? Whether or not you are actually sick, the process of calling in sick to work is the same. You want to let your boss know as soon as possible and keep the explanation of your illness (or fake illness) very brief.

Will you get paid for the time you are out sick? That depends. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, including sick leave, personal leave, and vacation time. However, many employers provide paid sick days to employees.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey reported that 78% of civilian employees had access to paid sick leave in 2020. The BLS survey reports that, on average, workers in private industry received eight days of sick leave per year. Most workers with paid sick leave receive a set number of days per year. About a third have access to leave through a consolidated bank of paid time off.

It's important to choose the right method for contacting your boss. While people use the phrase “call in sick,” you might not actually need to call your boss on the phone. Instead, you might send an email, a letter, or even a text. The Zippia survey reports that 53% of workers call in sick on the phone, while only 25% send a text.

Regardless of why you’re calling in to work, observe a few guidelines:

Let your boss know about your illness as soon as possible. If you are feeling ill the night before and know you won’t make it in to work, you can send your boss a message that evening. Otherwise, tell your boss first thing in the morning.

Don’t go into great detail about your illness. No one wants to hear the specifics of your flu or stomach virus. Keep your message short and to the point.

Consider sending another message to your department or team, letting them know that you will be absent. This is especially important if you are working on a team project or have a deadline coming up. Make sure they know you will not be available that day.

Let your employer (and perhaps your team members) know if you will be able to respond to email or do any other work while you are home sick. If you are too sick to check your email, say so.

Similarly, let your boss and your team know if there is any information they will need to know for that day. For example, you might tell your boss, “I am sorry I am missing the staff-wide meeting at 2 p.m., but Ellen should have all of the data from our department.” This kind of information will keep others from struggling in your absence.

Make sure you know whether your company requires you to complete any sort of follow-up documentation. For example, some companies require employees to bring a doctor’s note to prove that they were ill.

What if you don’t feel sick, but you simply need a day to relax and recharge? Your best option is to take a personal day. However, not all employers offer these. For example, many retail and other hourly jobs do not offer personal days.

In that case, one option is to call in sick. If you do so, you will still want to follow all the same steps. However, there are a few more things you will want to keep in mind.

It is easier to convince your boss you are really sick when you pick a random workday. However, if you pick a Monday or Friday (or a day right before or after a holiday), your boss might be suspicious that you are simply trying to extend your weekend. If you don’t care which day you take off, you might try a day between Tuesday and Thursday.

Unless you are confident you can lie to your boss over the phone, you might want to avoid a direct conversation with him or her. Instead, send an email or text (whatever is preferable to your employer). If your boss would prefer a phone call, try calling early in the morning—it will increase your chance of being able to leave a voicemail instead of speaking to your boss directly.

You always want to keep a call about your absence brief, but in this case, keep it very brief. The more you talk, the more you will be lying, and the better your chances are of getting caught.

Simply say you are calling in sick. If your boss asks more questions, answer them, but keep your answers short. There are some excuses that work better than others when you need a day off from work, or when you need to leave work early.

Don’t tell any of your coworkers that you were not really sick. Even if they are your friends, you run the risk that one of them might tell your boss (on purpose or even by accident).

A lot of employees have gotten caught faking an illness due to social media. They say they are sick, then they post a picture of their day at the beach, and their boss finds out. Avoid posting anything about your fun day off on social media. This will prevent any information from getting back to your boss.

After taking a day off work, you always want to work hard to catch up on any projects. This is especially the case if you took a secret personal day. Show your boss that you are still a committed team member who can work hard and get the job done.

Calling in sick to work makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Many worry that they’re not truly sick enough to warrant a day off, or that their boss will think they’re just trying to play hooky.

While more employers than ever recognize the validity and importance of mental health days to keep employees fresh and happy, calling in sick is often the simpler and more straightforward option.

With that in mind, this article will cover how to call in sick to work when you’re genuinely sick, and when you’d rather use sickness as a convenient excuse for a day off.

Key Takeaways:

It’s not your fault that you were or are sick, but it’s always possible that your absence will nevertheless have a negative effect on someone you work with, depending on the nature of your work.

For this reason, there are a few things you should do when you professionally call in sick to be conscientious of your boss and your coworkers:

Here are examples of different ways to call out of work professionally:

There are lots of ways to approach telling your boss that you can’t come into work, but at some point or another, you’re going to have to give them a reason. It should go without saying that not all of these reasons are as good as the others.

Here are a few examples of good reasons for taking off work:

Hey, we all need a random day off from work to recharge every now and then. If your employer offers personal days as part of your paid time off package, then you should be using those instead of sick days. But if your employer doesn’t offer personal days, your only choice is to call in sick.

The steps from above don’t really change, but there are some additional things you should keep in mind as you call in sick.

At some point in your work life, you’re going to wake up nice and healthy, but, for whatever reason, with the strong urge to call out sick.

They’ll be no good reason why you shouldn’t go to work that day — at least, no reason that your boss is likely to accept. But maybe you’ve been healthy all year. Perhaps it’s been a while since you took a day off work. Maybe you just really, really, really don’t want to go in.

Is it a good idea to use your sick days for personal days?

It depends:

That’s all we’ve got for this one — again, the biggest thing to keep in mind when asking for sick days off is that it depends on two major things.

The first is your company’s policy toward sick days, and what it recognizes as a “sick day” in the first place.

The second is your relationship with your boss, especially pertaining to how many sick days you’ve taken off so far.

• Alert your supervisor as soon as possible. Let your employer know as soon as possible that you need to take the day off.
• Be brief. Avoid a long-winded explanation about your illness or any doctor's appointments you might have.
• Choose the proper mode of communication.
• Prepare for your return.