Calling in sick is an inevitable part of any job. It’s also something that can be tricky to navigate and get right – especially in a professional setting. Many people feel guilty about taking a sick day and worry that it will affect their reputation or job security. It doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience, though. By following this guide, you’ll learn proper protocols for calling in sick and be able to do it with confidence. We’ll cover when to call in sick, what to say, and how to stay in good standing with your employer. By taking the proper steps and communicating clearly, you’ll be able to take care of your health without compromising your professional reputation.
- Keep It Brief. Don’t go into great detail about your illness. …
- Let Your Team Know. …
- Explain Your Availability. …
- Mention Any Important Information. …
- Follow Up. …
- Think About Your Timing. …
- Avoid a Phone Call. …
- Keep It Very Brief.
How to call in sick when you’re not feeling well
It’s crucial to let your coworkers know when you’ll be absent from work due to illness. Use these suggestions to ensure that you leave work in a proactive and considerate manner.
1. Choose the appropriate communication method
Make sure you are familiar with any guidelines or policies your company has regarding taking a sick day. That includes how to get in touch with them and who to contact. If you’re unsure, think about how you would get in touch with your boss in an emergency, whether it would be by text, phone, email, or chat.
2. Act quickly
As soon as possible, inform your manager that you are sick. Be direct and to the point in your communication. Tell your employer why you’re taking a sick day and when you expect to return to work. This will show that you respect their time.
3. Keep your team informed
By keeping in touch with your team, you demonstrate responsibility and a strong work ethic. Work together with your manager to decide the next steps; they may ask you to find a backup or someone else to handle your work for them. Whoever will be handling your work should make note of upcoming meetings and projects and provide any resources they might require, such as client contact information, documents, notes, or task management links.
4. Be honest
Be honest if you feel like you need to stay at home one day to protect your mental health. Sometimes you need a break to refresh, especially after finishing a big project. You might only need to attend to personal errands or obligations. This might spark a discussion that’s advantageous to your team and you.
5. Follow up
Make sure you are aware of any paperwork requirements your employer may have prior to your return to work, such as a doctor’s note. When you are absent for more than three days, some employers demand documentation. The nature of the illness won’t be disclosed in the release out of respect for privacy.
5. Prepare for your return to work
If you are about to get sick, think about how you can help your coworkers as they continue working without you in the coming days. Describe upcoming tasks, let your team know you’ll be away, and leave clear instructions.
What to consider before calling in sick
Even if you have meetings or deadlines scheduled, you might be unable to go to work because of an illness, fatigue, or overwork. If you need a break to recharge, concentrate on giving your body and mind the rest they need.
If you’re not sure whether to miss work due to illness, consider the following:
Are you sick?
To avoid infecting others at work, stay at home if you have symptoms and there’s a chance you might be contagious. Another important consideration when deciding whether to take time off work is determining whether your illness will impair your performance. Even if you are not contagious, being sick can affect how well you perform at work, so it may be best to concentrate on getting better. Staying at home might be the best choice if your symptoms would be upsetting to your coworkers.
On the other hand, you might be overworked, exhausted, or simply in need of a mental health day, which can be equally detrimental to your ability to work. Your decision to call in sick should take into account your accrued sick time, how frequently you may have already taken days off, and how busy work may be.
Can you work from home?
Consider working remotely for one or two days if you are contagious but feel capable of doing your work from home. You have at least demonstrated that you are willing to lessen the impact of your absence, even if your boss rejects the request.
Working from home could be a great alternative if you feel overworked or unable to handle the social or professional demands in person. While maintaining the same hours of work, you wouldn’t have to worry about commuting, face-to-face meetings, or constant communication.
Do you need a mental day off?
The choice to take a “personal day” may be available to you if you require a day to rest, recharge, or reset. ” Many employers offer time off without requiring a reason. You might have to take a sick day if you don’t have access to this benefit. If you are compensated for a day off, it will depend on your company’s policies and procedures.
How to call in when you need a mental health day
The procedure for notifying your boss and coworkers when you require time off but are not physically ill is the same as if you were. However, there are several other considerations.
1. Be honest if possible
Tell your employer up front that you require a day off for yourself. You may need time for personal appointments, meetings or deliveries. You might need some time off to catch up on daily tasks. If taking a personal day off is not an option, avoid lying or making up an excuse. Keep the message brief, like “I don’t feel well today,” I won’t be in today because I don’t believe I can give you my best effort. ”.
2. Let your team know
You would notify your team that you needed a sick day if you weren’t feeling well. The same courtesy also applies to personal days. If your coworkers need to cover for you or consult with you on projects, they must be aware that you won’t be working that day.
3. Avoid social media
Take the day off as needed if you’re taking a break, but don’t post about it on social media. Avoid being featured in photos and posts on social media if you are in a social setting where other people may do so.
What to do after calling in sick
Once you’ve contacted your supervisor, don’t forget to:
Contact colleagues
Let your team know you will be out. If you are working on a team project or have a deadline, this is especially crucial. Inform them if they must take your place for any meetings or phone calls. If you’ll be able to respond via email or work from home, let them know.
Set up out of office messaging
Set up your automatic email response or recorded phone messages. This will let anyone trying to reach you know that even though you’re away, you value their call or message and will respond when you get back. When you get back to work, make answering those calls or messages a top priority.
Rest and recharge
Use the day to your advantage once you’ve decided to take a day off. Don’t feel guilty about needing time to rest and recover. If you took a mental holiday, you obviously required some alone time. Take it. If you don’t take advantage of the situation, nobody will object to your time off. After all, a happy, healthy employee is always appreciated.
When you return to work
Be ready to reenter the workplace when you return from sick leave. As you learn what transpired while you were away, you might momentarily feel behind.
How to Call in “Sick”
FAQ
How do you tell your boss you’re calling in sick?
Example email for calling in sick to work: I woke up this morning with a high fever and a cough, so I’ll need to take a sick day. I will keep you posted on my recovery. Thanks in advance for your understanding.
How much time do you need to give to call in sick?
- “Today I will need to take a sick day because I have [illness]”
- I don’t believe I will be able to perform my job effectively or efficiently today because I’m really not feeling well.
- I need to take a sick day today, but I’ll be back at work tomorrow because I got [the illness].
How do I call in sick for good reason?
Most employers demand that sick calls be made at least two hours before the start of the employee’s shift, but it all depends on your company’s rules. Despite the short notice, the employer has enough time to find a replacement for you.
