17 Good Reasons & Excuses To Call Off Or Miss Work

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.

• As long as you have a valid excuse, it isn’t something you should feel bad about.
• This could include a doctor’s note, appointment confirmation, or any relevant paperwork that validates your absence.
• Many employers understand the importance of such life events.
• Most employers understand that your ability to commute to work reliably and punctually directly impacts your ability to maintain consistent attendance.
• Formerly, Lauren was a University Recruiter for Hulu focused on hiring, employer branding, and program management.

Your kids are sick.

When you’re feeling unwell, it’s crucial to communicate your illness to your employer effectively. A simple message or call stating that you are unwell and unable to perform your duties is usually sufficient. If your illness is prolonged, consider providing a doctor’s note to validate your absence.

Religious observance

Let them know that you have an urgent situation at home that requires your immediate attention. If possible, provide an estimated time frame for when you expect to return to work. Additionally, employers often have expectations regarding the frequency and pattern of absences.

The bottom line on calling out of work

Regular rest and recuperation are key to preventing physical exhaustion and preserving overall health and wellbeing. If you work from home, this one is a valid reason to miss work. If your computer isn’t working or you have an internet outage, it’s not possible to do your job. Explain the steps you took to resolve it and let your manager know you won’t be working today. If you find that you’ve run out of an important drug, that’s a valid reason to miss work. Perhaps you’ve been busy and realized that you just took your last pill this morning.

Car troubles happen, and not everyone lives in an area where they can take public transit to work. If you do, your manager may ask if you could try to take a bus, train, or taxi. But if that’s not possible, don’t hesitate to take the day off.

Doctor’s appointments are a good excuse to miss work for a few hours (or an entire day depending on the situation). Last-minute important deliveries that require a signature can be a valid excuse for calling off work as well. Whether they run away or accidentally wander outside, locating them can take an entire day. There’s a good chance that you’re going to school to further your career.

On top of all that, there’s the risk of spreading the illness to your coworkers. No manager wants to deal with a sweeping sickness that takes out the entire team. However, the “best” excuse to missing work largely depends on the individual situation and the employer’s policies. It’s always best to be honest and communicate with as much notice as possible with your employer about any necessary absences.

I have to report on Friday the 26th and then I’ll find out if I have to come back the following week or not. I wanted to give you a heads up that I won’t be in the office that Friday and I may not be in the following week either if I’m selected. We can come up with a plan when it gets closer so nothing falls through the cracks in my absence.

If you good reasons to call out of work 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. If your kids kept you up all night and your mental health is going to suffer without some sleep, then you can be honest about that, too. Food poisoning is a sickness that wrecks your body and often, keeps you up all night. If you eat something bad and get sick afterward, it’s completely normal to stay home and call in sick.

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. Caring for a sick relative may also require taking time away from work.

A loved one is sick

A brief note of appreciation or a willingness to catch up can go a long way. When something urgent happens, notify your manager quickly and reassure them that you’ll return once the situation is under control. I am reaching out to request some time off work due to sleep deprivation. I’ve been struggling to get enough rest lately, affecting my productivity and focus at work.

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. If your situation allows, provide clear parameters for availability. Set an alarm or reminder to send your message first thing in the morning. If possible, use your company’s preferred communication channel (e.g., email, phone, or a team messaging app).

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), foodborne illnesses can be contagious, and it’s advisable to stay home until you’re fully recovered.
• Employees need to take care of their health and well-being, including staying home when they are not feeling well.
• As a general rule, aim to provide as much notice as possible.
• Employers are compelled by law to permit workers to take time off for jury duty, and the employee cannot be penalized for fulfilling this civic duty.

Many companies offer compassionate or family leave, so familiarize yourself with your company’s policies. Working while unwell is not only unproductive but can also endanger your coworkers’ health. Common illnesses like the flu or severe migraines are legitimate reasons to call out. If your illness requires extended time off, providing a doctor’s note can further validate your need for rest. This law underscores the importance of valid reasons for absence, as it provides a legal framework that supports employees in times of need.

Inclement weather

You could take such leave in advance or on an emergency day. Paying attention to your family in an emergency situation should be a priority task for you. If a family emergency arises suddenly, an employee may need to call out of work to attend to the emergency. If an employee’s religious beliefs require them to observe certain holidays or ceremonies, they may need to take time off work to do so. Employers are legally required to accommodate employees’ religious beliefs. We should consider such situations to improve work-life balance, and as an employer, as a method to boost productivity, well-being, and focus.

And even after the initial fog clears, taking a day off because you’re having a hard or emotional day is also completely reasonable. 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.