Employers who understand this know that taking a few days off to move can help reduce stress and make for a happier, more productive employee in the long run. I appreciate your support in allowing me to prioritize my health. I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Date and Time, and I’ll need to take some time off work to attend. I understand it might be inconvenient, but I wanted to ensure you were aware so we could plan accordingly. I appreciate your understanding of my situation, and I hope to return to work with renewed energy and focus.
- You might be doing the work, but if you’re not fully present, you’re bound to make errors or turn in lower-quality work.
- Briefly describe the emergency and the affected family member(s).
- Dishonesty hurts you in the long run, so keep things above board.
- If your computer broke, you may no longer be able to do your work properly.
- Transportation issues are often out of your control, and employers get that.
If not, they may ask you for proof, but probably won’t make a big deal out of it unless it’s a regular occurrence. If that’s you, here are 32 legitimate reasons to get out of work that most people won’t question – most of them are good excuses to miss work on short notice. Whether you earn overtime after calling in sick depends on your employer’s policies and the labor laws in your region. Typically, overtime is calculated based on actual hours worked. They usually wouldn’t count toward overtime calculations if you call in sick and do not work those hours.
Giving yourself time to rest and recover helps you bounce back faster and reduces the risk of prolonged illness. Whether it is a sick leave or leave for travel, a few days off, will give you some much needed break from your daily grind. Nevertheless, remember to not take leaves very frequently. But make sure that your happy hours don’t infringe on your work hours. Even if they do, take a day off by calling for sick leave. Taking personal days off is a normal part of life and work.
Dental Emergency
To wrap up, here are a couple of mistakes to avoid and bad reasons for calling out of work. Unexpected absences happen, but keeping your employers informed the right way is important. Here are five best practices to ensure a smooth process whenever you need to call out of work. A household problem that requires you to remain home is one of the most straightforward and valid excuses to call out of work. The whole idea is to ensure you keep your employers in the loop in the right way and avoid any potential misunderstandings. As long as you have a valid excuse, it isn’t something you should feel bad about.
The symptoms can be so severe that people cannot get out of bed. In some cases, you may even qualify for up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Occasionally, you may need to be at home to receive a delivery of a major appliance, furniture, or other large items. These deliveries usually require someone to be at home and can’t always be scheduled outside of working hours. Court appearances, whether they are directly related to you or involve a family member, usually can’t be rescheduled. These appearances could be for a variety of legal matters and failing to attend can have severe consequences.
Car Trouble or Transportation Issues
Internet outages can prevent remote workers from completing tasks and may require taking a few hours or even a full day off of work. Contact your employer as soon as you detect a problem and find out how quickly the issue can be resolved. Life can be unpredictable, and family emergencies are no exception. When an unforeseen occurrence impacts the wellbeing or security of a family member, you may be called on to provide immediate attention and support. Prioritizing mental health is synonymous with investing in overall wellbeing, which can actually lead to increased productivity after returning to work. Reduced feelings of burnout, isolation, and anxiety are just a few additional benefits to keep in mind.
- It may be problems with water pipes, leaking toilets, or a gas leak.
- I am writing to inform you that I cannot come to work today due to insert reason for an illness.
- This is also something that you can easily notify your employer about ahead of time, since holidays are predictable events.
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Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic brought childcare problems for many working parents. Mikayla Balk is a content writer focusing on emotional wellness and mental health. Her passions include mental health advocacy, travel, animals, and nature photography. In Writing and Philosophy from Grand Valley State University. Formerly, Lauren was a University Recruiter for Hulu focused on hiring, employer branding, and program management.
Good Excuses to Call Out of Work While Maintaining Professionalism
Inform your employer in advance about the event and request time off. Most employers understand the importance of these occasions and will grant you the necessary time off. When a close family member is severely ill, they may need your care and support.
While reasons to call off work that is not common, note that some states have “at-will” employment laws, meaning your employers can fire you for any reason or even no reason. And, of course, not finding a replacement to cover your shift might be one of those reasons. Ideally, the move-out process should be scheduled on weekends or during off-work hours.
You Need a Mental Health Day
Personal emergencies are unexpected events that require immediate attention. These could include a break-in at your home, a sudden financial issue, or an unexpected legal matter. Attending a marriage or civil ceremony, either your own or of a close friend or family member, is a valid reason to miss work. These events often require travel and preparation time, and are generally understood to be important personal commitments. As an example, if you’ve ordered a new refrigerator and the company can only deliver it during your work hours, you’ll need to be at home to receive it.
Some employer may question about your illness and may require a doctor’s note. So how can you balance your employer’s policy while also preventing burnout? Well, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act and HIPAA, you don’t have to tell anyone why you’re taking sick time. That means you can use sick days to focus on your mental health — because it’s just as important as your physical health. Maybe you’re moving to a new apartment or juggling home renovations on top of your work schedule.
We have made things easier by listing 15 excellent reasons to call out of work that look appealing to your HR and management. Cherry on the cake, we’ve also included example messages of how to convey your reason acceptably. This shows your sincerity, and the probability of your success in taking future leaves will be much higher.
Major life events such as graduations, milestone birthdays, or other significant school events are important to attend and can fall during work hours. Sometimes, you may just need a day off for personal well-being. This could be to relax, pursue a hobby, or spend time with family and friends. Personal well-being days can help prevent burnout and improve overall job satisfaction. For example, you may be involved in a local charity that’s hosting a special event during your work hours. Let your employer know about your involvement as early as possible and request the necessary time off.