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Whatever your reason is for requesting leave, either short-term or for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to be upfront and honest about your situation. Try to estimate how much time you need and be sure to update your supervisor if things change. Some reasons to call out of work absences don’t fall into any of the above categories but can still be considered as acceptable reasons to miss days from work, depending upon the situation. As soon as you know that you won’t be able to work, give your boss a phone call or send them a message.
What should I say when I call out of work?
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.
Don’t go into an elaborate explanation – the longer the excuse, the more likely your employer is to think you are lying, and the less likely you will be able to remember it. Also, be sure to tell your boss about your absence as soon as possible. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 40% of workers took a fake sick day during 2017, the most recent year for which data was available. It is important not to tell your manager upfront that you are interviewing for another job. Telling your manager you are feeling tired is generally not considered a good excuse to get out of work.
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The employee was bowling the game of his life and couldn’t make it to work. The employee ate cat food instead of tuna and was deathly ill. The employee said her roots were showing, and she had to keep her hair appointment because she looked like a mess.
There are a number of reasons why you might not be feeling like coming in to work. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for when these things happen. Make sure you have a list of contacts for emergency repairs and keep some money saved up in case you need to pay for them out-of-pocket. If you have a pet emergency and can’t get to the office, send your boss a message that your pet’s condition is worsening and they need to see the vet right away. The next time your boss is looking for someone to cover and you can’t get out of bed, you’ve got to come up with a good excuse.
Is a family emergency a good excuse to miss work?
With such a high number of pet owners today, it’s likely that your boss also has a pet of some sort and will understand where you are coming from when you ask for time off. Many pet owners see their dogs and cats as an important part of their family, so they can provide a great reason to take the day off. Managers won’t typically ask any follow-up questions, but if they do, feel free to make them uncomfortable with the dirty details of how you are feeling. Let them know your car didn’t start in the morning, and you are currently bringing it into the shop. Since you don’t have a method to get into work, you can request to stay at home and take the day off. Although there’s no federal law requiring that every job grants you vacation time, chances are your employee handbook maps out how and when you can step away.
- The best excuses for being late to work are simple and common – think weather or traffic.
- In some circumstances, you could be eligible for extended leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act .
- You can reference your employee handbook or talk to a human resource representative and ensure you follow the laid-out policies.
- Finally, you don’t want to be the “boy who cried wolf” employee once you are up against a real emergency or illness.
For example, say you’re waiting to see a specialist that has limited availability. If they call you in the morning to say that someone canceled their appointment, you may want to jump at the chance to take that opening. If you don’t, it could be months before you see this doctor. Make sure you communicate clearly with your manager to gain support and the time you need to focus on your health and well-being. Lead Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement.
Tips for Giving an Excuse
There are always going to be unexpected issues that come up when you’re working two jobs or your side hustle. But, there is a reason you are hustling to make more money fast, so you want to keep both opportunities. If you have already made up your mind about leaving your job, do not use this as a reason for missing work if you are interviewing for another job. If you are granted an interview for another position, use a vacation or personal day. Instead of saying you don’t feel like going in today, try explaining the situation to your boss and see if they will allow you to use a vacation or personal day instead. Workflow is impeded by these types of issues, making it difficult for people to get their jobs done.
- Free, unlimited access to career advice, inspiration, and job matching for women.
- For example, you don’t need to tell them all the symptoms if you have a personal illness.
- Something like having a slight headache or feeling tired or unhappy may be considered unprofessional and could make your boss see you as someone who doesn’t take their work seriously.
- Also, after dropping a text to your manager, send an email as well.
- Toothaches, broken fillings, or lost crowns are some dental issues that can arise suddenly and require immediate attention.
No matter how minor or severe it was, employers tend to be understanding when presented with this excuse so long as documentation proving its occurrence is provided. Many times workers’ compensation covers some lost wages due to auto accidents. Despite having the flexibility of working from https://remotemode.net/ anywhere, unexpected power cuts can throw their carefully planned work schedules into disarray. Not only does it disrupt their productivity, but it can also make them lose valuable time and revenue. A lost internet signal is one of the most frustrating reasons remote workers miss work.
