Mental health, like physical health, is important, and you need to take care of your mental health issues. Remember to prioritize your wellbeing and that of your loved ones, and always be upfront about any issues that may require time off. Yes, taking a mental health day is increasingly being recognized as a valid excuse to miss work. Many employers understand the importance of mental well-being and support employees taking time off for mental health reasons. It’s best to communicate this need respectfully and professionally. Not every company allows for mental health days, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a valid reason to call out of work.

If you’re moving to a new house and the movers are scheduled to come on a workday, you’ll need to request a day off. Make sure to give your employer plenty of notice so they can plan for your absence. They may even allow you to work remotely part of the day if needed. For example, if you wake up with unbearable tooth pain, you will likely need to see a dentist immediately. Dental emergencies can be extremely painful and debilitating, often requiring immediate attention. This can include a sudden toothache, broken tooth, lost fillings, or other dental problems.

She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success. 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.

Feeling sick

FMLA also protects employees so they can take leave if they themselves have a serious health condition. You don’t have to get into the nitty gritty of your food poisoning to request the day off. The science behind Inner Work® tells us that we return to our workplace as better communicators, better teammates, and better leaders. In fact, it’s been shown to improve employee retention, employee engagement, and even curb the impact of burnout.

If your brother, sister, son, daughter, or even cousin is getting married, your boss will probably let you off the hook. You can say that you need time to travel to get to the wedding or the wedding is during the day. You can say you ate something bad, such as fast food from an unhygienic restaurant.

• If your computer isn’t working or you have an internet outage, it’s not possible to do your job.
• Taking a mental health day to de-stress and avoid burnout can help you come back refreshed and focused.
• Depending on what it is and your work situation, you might be able to get away with this.
• Whether you’re actively paying tuition or not, it costs money to go to school.

Striking a balance in how often one calls in sick is nuanced and varies across workplaces. Severe weather like heavy snow, thunderstorms, or hurricanes presents safety risks and logistical issues, making them valid reasons for missing work. Such conditions can disrupt public transportation while causing driving to be unsafe.

• Yes, sick day policies often differ between part-time and full-time employees, depending on the company’s policies and the labor laws in your area.
• Over a billion people worldwide are affected by them each year (NIH)and they’re very serious for many people.
• While taking such leave, inform your manager about the condition in advance.
• It’s completely out of your control when public transit has delays.
• Employers typically give employees time to grieve and handle related commitments.

Even after the pandemic, employees continue “pushing through” illness, making efforts to arrive at the office no matter their circumstance or how they’re feeling. But just because we aren’t always encouraged to take time off doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of valid reasons for doing so. Obviously, avoiding the spread of illness sits right up there at the top of the list, but there are lots of other good reasons to call out of work.

However, each state provides different rights to employees. No matter where you live, it’s unlikely that an employer will fire you for taking one sick day or calling out of work occasionally. I wanted to inform you that I am experiencing unexpected car trouble this morning and will not be able to make it to the office today. Calling out of work at the last minute due to sudden childcare issues, like a daycare closure, is generally considered a very understandable reason.

What is a good no-call, no-show excuse?

Finally, try to avoid making it a regular thing to call off work. You can experience rough patches and occasional unavoidable emergencies. But when these issues become too frequent, people start to ask questions. You want your manager to see you as trustworthy and reliable, and many people think taking time off diminishes trust or hurts chances for a promotion. For example, you or a close family member might be dealing with eviction.

You Need Maternity Leave

That means if you’re faced with a sudden and unexpected family emergency, it’s completely reasonable to call out. In these moments, we need to give our loved ones our full attention and your boss should understand that. Maybe you’re feeling fine, but you have a sick child at home and need to take care of them.

of Colon Cancer Cases in Young People Tied to 1 Factor

This reasons to call off work could require taking them to doctor’s appointments, providing emotional support, or assisting with their care at home. For instance, if your dog ingests something harmful and needs emergency care, you would likely need to miss work to attend to this situation. Be sure to inform your employer about the situation as soon as possible. If your job allows for it, consider working remotely once your pet is stabilized. For example, if a close family member passes away, you’ll likely need to take time off for the funeral and to grieve. Most employers have policies in place for bereavement leave and will understand your need to take time off.

How to call in sick and what to say (with examples)

This one may be awkward, but if you’re a female you know that menstrual cramps can be the real deal. Bulletproof excuses to get out of work typically involve something that is out of your control. They may also include things protected by law or that are simply too taboo for anyone to question you. Repetitive use of the same excuse can lead to questions about its authenticity. Provide a way to make up for missed time along with your request to miss work. When using an excuse to miss work, be specific enough to be believable but avoid excessive details that might raise doubts.

The vet said I should bring them in right away so I won’t be able to make it into work. Without going into too much detail, I’m in a rough spot mentally with anxiety over the wedding and I need to take some time off today. Sometimes donating blood can cause lightheadedness which may cause a situation that is not safe for you to work. They may not be as bulletproof as the ones earlier, but they still work.

As you can see, there are plenty of legitimate reasons and excuses you can use for missing work. Of course, your health is the most important thing of all. Doctor’s appointments are a good excuse to miss work for a few hours (or an entire day depending on the situation).

While most employers allow employees to take days off from work, it shouldn’t be misused. There are also some ways to ask your employers for a day off. Most creative professions like content writing, video editing, graphic designing, and others require you to be in the best of your health. Even other less creative jobs require optimal mental health.

This can impact career progression and trust within the organization in the long term. Balancing personal needs with team responsibilities is vital. Understanding these impacts is crucial for both employees and employers.

I’m sorry for the late notice, but I guess that’s how appliance deliveries work. Something really contagious is going around the school and I think my daughter caught it. I need to take the day off and take her to the doctor today. I have a temporary crown on my tooth and it came off this morning. I’m going to need to take the day off and go to the dentist to have this fixed as soon as possible.