Most states prohibit employers from penalizing an employee for jury service. They may not pay you, but they have to allow you to take the time off. This is another one that most people won’t ask questions about. Similar to taking care of a sick child, family emergencies can cover anything from helping a parent or taking care of any family member.
- For example, if you must take time off work due to illness, there is no need to provide a detailed description of your symptoms.
- Access to a BetterUp Coach can provide personalized support to navigate challenges, especially the ones that we don’t anticipate.
- With transparency, most bosses will understand the occasional request for a much-needed break.
- He received a warning email the next day for lying and low integrity.
- So, make sure to use the excuses shared in this article sparingly.
- While some managers might be more understanding about this reason than others, it’s valid.
- Though you might find it helpful to work during this stressful time, unless you’re truly able to give work your all, taking some time away from the job is the best choice.
In case of faulty breaks, flat tires, or other car problems, it would be best to inform your employer immediately to minimize inconveniences for everyone involved. If your employer doesn’t accept your excuse, try to have a calm conversation about the situation. If you face disciplinary action, it may be helpful to consult your company’s HR department or employee handbook. You’re within your right to explore career options and interview for new positions. But it would be best if you did that around your existing work schedule.
Remote Tech & IT Jobs
Addressing your physical health is a legitimate reason to miss work. “Taking the time to look after your mental health will always be a legitimate reason to miss work,” says Reidy. FMLA also protects employees so they can take leave if they themselves have a serious health condition. The law also requires employee health benefits to be maintained during the leave. The following excuses are generally legitimate reasons employers typically accept as short or long-term absences. Ultimately, any unexpected situation out of your control can keep you from working.
You’re Feeling Overwhelmed.
Recent research shows that many employees feel guilty for taking sick days, especially if they work from home. Calling in sick is not just a personal decision; it’s also a legal right that helps protect your health and workplace safety. By communicating clearly and respectfully with your boss, you can maintain professionalism while taking the time you need to recover. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and more workplaces are beginning to recognize this.
Elaborates on highest-paying nursing jobs with their benefits, job responsibilities, education required to pursue them, etc. Or, say, if everyone at work knows you have a dog, my dog is sick would be a good excuse. Or if you are a gym goer, you have always got stuff like a muscle pull or sprain.
- Most of you are grinding through life and are working for long hours to take your career graph up a notch.
- Your well-being matters, and taking care of your mental health is a vital part of leading a balanced and fulfilling life.
- My dog was bit by a possum on our morning walk and I’m worried about an infection.
- What’s more, it doesn’t sound like a generic excuse, and, delivered well, the supervisor is most likely to believe it.
- Typically, we aren’t able to predict reasons why we may need to miss work.
- Skipping it to work would be a waste, and most employers fully understand that.
This is an ideal professional procedure for a leave which is accepted in all organizations. You need to inform the concerned authority about the day you need to take a leave and provide a solid reason for the same. A family emergency is another cause where the probing is minimal. Keep updating about your status and whether you can attend office the day after or otherwise. Some common and legitimate excuses to come late or leave early from work are listed below.
Understanding the Dynamics of Work and Life
Avoid blindsiding your team with last-minute texts that you’re incapacitated. A refreshed, destressed mind boosts productivity in the long run. Make sure your reason passes the sniff test before pulling the trigger. If your call-out seems flaky, unfairly burdens others, or requires elaborate cover-up lies, you should just tough it out. Will they understand, or has their trust in you now been eroded? Telling little white lies to friends and family to cover your tracks outside of work can corrode intimacy.
Home Emergency
This is where it’s helpful to have a good relationship with your employer. If you’re an honest and hard worker, you’re less likely to get pushback. That said, try to get things fixed or come up with another source of transportation as soon as possible. Some bosses understand the struggle and how debilitating a lack of proper transportation can be. But others will grow impatient if you take longer than a few days to address the issue. If there is no one else to turn to, you have no choice but to take the mantle of caregiver.
I wanted to call you first and let you know that I won’t be in today. You may have broken a tooth, had a crown come off, or you’re experiencing pain in your mouth. I’m lying on the couch and I’m not going to make it into work today.
You can experience rough patches and occasional unavoidable emergencies. But when these issues become too frequent, people start to ask questions. You’re not a robot and can suffer from sudden emergencies and family issues just as much as the next person. Again, it all comes down to the importance of your pet to you and your family. You love them immensely, so there’s no reason to hesitate taking time off work to find them when they go lost. If you’re in school, your education is likely your top long-term priority.
Do not put your manager in a situation you yourself would not want to be in. Plumbing rain checks – Sudden plumbing mishap is another go-to option as it requires immediate attention. It is hard to deny such a leave application because of its nature and importance in day-to-day life.
His manager refuses to accept such an excuse and asks him to come down to the office or work from home and complete his work. His manager is visibly irate with such a lack of sincerity. Mental health day – Mental health is reasons to call out of work a serious condition that must be looked after at all costs. If you feel you are having any trouble with your mental well-being, take a day off, and do not hesitate to call to work and explain your issue.
To make remote days truly worthwhile, optimize your home workspace and schedule. Eliminate distractions by muting phones, closing tabs, and using website blockers. Sending a text message is a convenient alternative to a call. Hould be perceived as unprofessional to message your manager directly on their phone. Unless you have a good relationship with your manager, avoiding this option is best.
Over-communicate availability with team members and check in often. Set a schedule that mirrors office hours, taking regular breaks and clocking out reasonably. Whether it’s food poisoning from some questionable takeout or a nasty flu bug, health issues can strike without warning and take you out of commission fast. Attempting to tough it out through violent vomiting or sky-high fever often backfires, rendering you useless at your desk anyway. Despite being just as important as physical health, mental health often lacks the same level of visibility and empathy at work.
