Reasons to Call Out of Work

Okay. Real talk. Even if you love your job, some days it’s next to impossible to find the motivation. Burnout is real and can affect us both mentally and physically. Or maybe you just went too hard this weekend and need a day to recover. Whether you’ve caught a bug or just need a wellness day to reset your body, there are plenty of reasons to pick up your phone to call out of work. 

We’ve all been there and I’m not here to judge. I’m here to help! Here’s a list of reasons to call out of work and how to deliver them with professionalism and grace. 

You’re Sick

A classic. Cold or fever or the flu—no matter how far we advance the field of modern medicine, there has yet to be a cure for the common cold. Most of your co-workers want to stay far away from any sneezing or coughing (and double that for anything gastrointestinal) and it’s likely your manager wants you and your germs to stay far away from the workplace. 

Try this line:

“Hi, I’m under the weather and don’t want to risk spreading anything to my co-workers. I’ll be staying home to rest and keep you posted if I need more time.”

Migraine or Severe Headache

While a headache might be hard to prove, the pain is generally easy to understand. If you’ve ever had a migraine (especially one with an aura, aphasia, or vomiting) you know you won’t be typing reports or sitting through staff presentations. It’s a legitimate and potentially debilitating health issue.

Explain this way:

“I’m nursing a migraine this morning and can’t focus. I’ll be offline today and resting in a dark room until it passes.”

Mental Health Day

It seems, in many ways, that we’re finally reaching a point where we can acknowledge that mental health is a valid aspect of our wellbeing. Anxiety, depression, and other common diagnoses are all valid reasons to take a breather. 

Be forthcoming:

“I’m taking a mental health day to recharge. I appreciate your support and I’ll be back at full speed tomorrow.”

Family Emergency

This is a tougher one to navigate as there can be variation in what constitutes an emergency (and what your employer might consider a valid reason to miss work). Stick to high level details and avoid oversharing. When it’s a broad explanation, it’s more likely to be accepted. 

Need to know:

“I have a family situation that needs my attention today. I’ll be back in to follow up with anything urgent tomorrow.”

Personal Day

Remember that truly, sometimes honesty is the best policy. If your company policy affords employees personal days, use them. They are there for you so don’t be afraid to take advantage. No further explanation necessary.  

Keep it brief:

“I’ll be taking a personal day. Please let me know if anything urgent arises while I’m offline.”

Car or Transit Trouble 

Anyone who doesn’t work from home will need to pull this one out on occasion. A flat tire, a minor fender bender, or even a full metro system meltdown, are all possibilities for an otherwise common commute. 

Explain it this way:

“My car’s out of commission this morning and I can’t make it in. Finding a solution for tomorrow.”