Just be sure to manage it in a way that maintains your professional reputation and work relationships. It depends on your workplace culture, but a phone call or text message is usually best for short notice. Sign Up Here for advice on job searches, careers, social networking, personal branding and developing and improving your online presence. Always let your managers know when you plan to take time off whenever possible. Valid emergency scenarios are okay, but it’s always better to provide early notice when possible. Job dissatisfaction is not a good excuse to skip out on work.
Family emergency
As always, it’s key to let them know as soon as you can what’s happening and how much time you need. Regular veterinary appointments are also essential for the health of your pet. And you may not always be able to schedule these appointments outside of work hours. Have a conversation with your employer if you need to take some time to attend to your pet’s health. Prioritizing mental health is synonymous with investing in overall wellbeing, which can actually lead to increased productivity after returning to work.
- It’s best to avoid repeating the same excuse frequently, as it can raise suspicions.
- A sick day can give you time to practice self-care, allowing you to return to your day-to-day life feeling calmer and refreshed.
- Sometimes, unexpected circumstances can force us to miss work on short notice.
- Ultimately, any unexpected situation out of your control can keep you from working.
- Your supervisor may require a doctor’s note, but with telehealth services, it’s easy for many of us to make a phone appointment and get a note without leaving the house.
- Be sure to inform your manager in advance and provide a doctor’s note if required.
- This is probably the most common bulletproof excuse people use.
For many people, pets are also family members—so if lil Rover is severely ill, that’s also a legitimate reason to miss work. If you just want to sleep in, don’t lie and say you’re feeling ill. Remember, you were given sick days for a reason, and they should be used responsibly — but also at your discretion.
Personal illness, especially contagious types, are almost always a valid excuse to take off time off from work. Employers don’t want to find themselves with an epidemic of illness spreading through the workplace because this seriously affects operations and productivity. You might feel guilty for missing work, but if you don’t take care of your family, your health, and your well-being, you’ll struggle to be productive — even if you work from home.
Plan the birthday on your day off, and don’t use it as an excuse to miss work. Let us review some reasons that are unacceptable for missing work. This is the safest choice because you can send advance notice at any time and there is no risk of unprofessionalism.
Car accident
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. Of course, you should first explore other alternative solutions before calling out, such as using your phone’s hotspot or visiting a local café that offers free WiFi. Ways to spend a mental health day can include consulting with a therapist, engaging in outdoor activities, or simply taking time to relax.
good reasons to call out of work (and 4 ways to communicate it)
There may also be times when you’ve had appointments planned for a future date that have needed to be changed last minute. For example, when seemingly small health problems suddenly become much bigger issues, you may need to move up a future appointment to make sure your body or mind are okay. In this case, it’s understandable that you may have to call out from work in order to take care of yourself and your needs. With good communication, most employers understand occasional sick days are “a necessary evil.” Just don’t take advantage of the system or buy Excedrin in bulk. So, be transparent about needing to prioritize your mental well-being occasionally. Normalize and destigmatize mental health days as self-care, not weakness.
- Any pain prevents you from achieving your maximum productivity level.
- Family emergency – Family emergencies are irrefutable excuses to not go to work.
- If the policy states that all employees must call their manager directly to let them know they’ll be missing work for the day, don’t send an email or a Slack message.
- When a family needs arise, having an empathetic employer who values work-life balance makes all the difference.
- I’ve been trying to get a dentist appointment for weeks and they just called with an opening tomorrow to get my tooth pulled.
- Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies.
Keep reading for more totally acceptable excuses, along with a few tips on how to explain your absence to your boss. Sudden health crises can make it impossible for an employee to attend work, making it a legitimate reason for missing work on short notice. It’s important to prioritize your well-being and take the necessary time to recover fully before returning to work. Remember, pushing yourself to work when you’re not fit can not only be counterproductive but can also prolong your recovery time and potentially worsen your condition.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications.
‘’An old aunt from outside of town knocked on my door this morning out of nowhere. She is headed to my parents’, but she’s going to make a pit reasons to call out of work stop at my place. There is no way I can leave her alone and go to the office.
