It can be tempting to lie, but try to be brutally honest when you give your reasons to get out of work. If you make up a story now, you may not have the liberty to do so again for an actual crisis in the future. Your next reason to get out of work could be that you intended to go to the office and were on your way, but were met with an accident. Saying that you’ll be attending events such as a wedding can be a good reason to get out of work. At first it may sound like attending a wedding would significantly impact how your boss sees you. Taking time for education or focused skill development demonstrates commitment to professional growth and can position you as a more valuable candidate.
A family emergency requires your attention
Since remote workers don’t commute, they’re hesitant to take a day off. However, in most countries, employers are obliged to offer paid sick leave to their employees. However, contrary to popular belief, many employees shy away from taking leave off work even for legitimate reasons. An interesting 2019 study in the US found that a total of 768 million vacation days went unused in 2018.
We hope this article offers a helpful guide for those unexpected life events that require time away from work. If you work in a specialized field that requires continuing professional education (CPE), this could be a good reason to get out of work. Many professionals that maintain licenses such as accounting or healthcare have to attend these every year or two. Be sure to share with your supervisor what you learned at the conference when you return.
Unexpected Travel
Prioritize your safety and communicate promptly with your employer. During your discussion, ask for clarification on why your request was denied. Understanding the reasoning behind the decision can help you address any misunderstandings or provide additional information that may change their perspective. If possible, choose a time when your supervisor is less busy or stressed. This could be early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Instead being okay with you showing up late & cover your work hours. Your job and your career are important, but it’s not everything. Here are five things your career should not be in your life—and what your career absolutely can be.
- Most managers usually won’t fight you on this, but it’s still professional to provide plenty of notice if you can.
- When interviewers ask why you left your previous job, they’re not just making conversation.
- Notify your employer about the crisis as soon as you can and provide them with an estimate of when you’ll be able to return to work.
The Best Type of Excuse to Call Out of Work
Always keep your employer informed about your condition and provide them with a reasonable timeline for your return based on medical advice. For instance, if you’ve received a notice for jury duty that falls on a workday, you’re required by law to attend. It’s important to notify your employer about your jury duty as soon as you receive the notice. Most places of employment have policies in place to handle these situations, and they can guide you on the next steps.
If you’re a leader, trusting and supporting your employees is one of the most important things you can do. Access to a BetterUp Coach can provide personalized support to navigate challenges, especially the ones that we don’t anticipate. As soon as you know that you won’t be able to work, give your boss a phone call or send them a message.
- These reasons should only be used when absolutely necessary and not regularly.
- Most employers today welcome legitimate reasons for leave from work.
- Whether it’s a routine check-up, dental appointment, or specialist visit, it’s important to prioritize your health.
- It’s essential to inform your employer about the situation and the expected timeline for resolution.
- When you have a good reason to call out of work, the next step is figuring out how to communicate it effectively.
Prioritizing your health, especially mental health before any well-balanced individual practices work. Taking a day off to give yourself time and practicing self-love is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Most companies have bereavement leaves as a separate section in the leave policy. However, if your company has no such policy, communicate with your HR about your situation and tell them how long you’ll be gone.
Take the day
If you have kids, then you may have occurrences where you will get called to the school. This reason to get out of work is an unexpected circumstance that’s out of your control. You may let your boss know that you need to attend to your child at his or her school. You can also let your boss know that you’ll need to take a test. This is a really genuine reason to give your employer because it is important to attend the exams. Say you are on your path to getting promoted and you’ll need to study for an exam and if it falls on a working day, this reason to call out of work will be valid.
How to request stress leave from work
This can include a sudden toothache, broken tooth, lost fillings, or other dental problems. Failing to address these issues promptly can lead to more serious complications. Injuries, whether they happen at work or outside of it, can make it impossible for you to perform your job functions or commute to work.
This is also something that you can easily notify your employer about ahead of time, since holidays are predictable events. I need to request an emergency day off due to a significant family issue that has just arisen and needs my urgent attention. Specifically, brief explanation if you’re comfortable, e.g., “a close relative has been hospitalized and requires my immediate presence”. Jury duty is a civic obligation that most people will have to perform at some point. The notice usually comes in advance, but the actual dates can often be unpredictable and fall during work hours.
You should also inquire about any legal or financial considerations that may be necessary. Ways to spend a mental health day can include consulting with a therapist, engaging in outdoor activities, or simply taking time to relax. If you have children, there will inevitably be times when they’re sick and unable to attend school or daycare. For instance, if there’s a significant religious holiday that you observe which falls on a workday, you’ll need to request a day off. Notify your employer as soon as you’re aware of the date, and request the necessary time off. Employers are typically understanding of such circumstances and legally obliged to reasonably accommodate religious practices.
Other employers don’t really care, and they know that employees use sick day leaves for other reasons. I need to take an urgent sick day today due to unexpected health issues. I’m seeking medical advice and will keep you informed about good reasons to call off work my situation. Please let me know if there’s anything urgent that needs to be addressed, and I’ll do my best to coordinate remotely.
Putting yourself under extra pressure when you’re not feeling too well is not ideal. When calling out of work, it’s essential to communicate with management promptly, adhere to company policies, and be truthful about your reasons. By maintaining open lines of communication and providing as much notice as possible, you can help minimize any disruptions in the workplace. Jury duty is a legal obligation that employers are required to accommodate. Federal law mandates that employers provide unpaid time off for employees who are called to serve on a jury.