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Best Excuses to Call Out of Work - Taking the Day off

Updated on 03/17/2023

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We've all been there - waking up in the morning feeling as if we got hit by a truck and just can't make it to work. Whether it's a bad cold, flu, or even just a headache, sometimes taking a sick day is the best thing for both our health and productivity. But what if you don't actually feel sick or just need a day off for personal reasons? Don't worry; we've got you covered. In this post, we'll share some of the best excuses to call out of work and how to use them effectively to ensure you get the time off you need without jeopardizing your job. So, sit back, grab a cup of tea, and let's dive in.

Feeling Under the Weather

Sometimes you wake up in the morning feeling sick and just can't make it to work. Whether it's a sore throat, headache, fever, or any other ailment, prioritize your health and let your employer know that you won't be able to make it in. You don't need to go into too much detail about your symptoms, but be sure to communicate that you won't be able to come in.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When You are Feeling Sick:

  • "I'm feeling under the weather and won't be able to make it in today. I'll make sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as I'm feeling better." 
  • "I woke up with a headache and just can't seem to shake it off. I'll need to take the day to rest and recover." 
  • "Unfortunately, I'm feeling quite ill and won't be able to come into work today. I hope to be feeling better soon."

Personal Emergency

Sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs, and you need to take time off work to deal with them. Whether it’s a family emergency or a personal issue, it’s okay to take a day off to address it. Just make sure to communicate with your employer and provide as much information as you feel comfortable sharing.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When You are Having Personal Issues:

  • “I’ve had a family emergency come up and need to take the day off to take care of it.” 
  • “I’ve got a personal issue that I need to attend to today. I’ll make sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as possible.”
  • “Unfortunately, my car broke down on the way to work this morning and I need to deal with getting it towed and repaired.”

Mental Health Day

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just need a day to recharge, it’s perfectly valid to take a mental health day. Be honest with your employer and communicate that you need to prioritize your mental well-being.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When You are Having Bad Mental Health Day:

  • “I’m feeling really overwhelmed and could use a mental health day to recharge.”
  • “I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress lately and need to take a day to focus on my mental health.”
  • “Unfortunately, my anxiety is really high today and I don’t think I’ll be able to focus on work. I’m taking the day to practice some self-care.”

Child or Dependent Care

If you have children or dependents, unexpected circumstances may arise that require you to stay home from work. Whether it’s a sick child or a last-minute appointment, it’s important to prioritize your family's needs. Communicate with your employer and make arrangements for missed work as needed.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When Your Child or Dependent Needs Care:

  • “My child is sick, and I need to stay home to take care of them.”
  • “Unfortunately, my regular caregiver canceled at the last minute, and I need to stay home with my dependent today.” 
  • “I have a last-minute appointment for my child that I need to attend, and won’t be able to come into work today.”

Inclement Weather

Sometimes, severe weather conditions make it unsafe or impossible to commute to work. If you’re facing a snowstorm, hurricane, or other severe weather events, it’s important to prioritize your safety and stay home. Check-in with your employer regarding any work arrangements that can be made, such as remote work or rescheduling missed work.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When the Weather is Unsafe:

  • “Due to the severe snowstorm, I won’t be able to make it into work today. Is there any remote work I can do from home?”
  • “I’m sorry, but the hurricane warning means that I won’t be able to commute to work today. Can we discuss making up missed work at a later date?” 
  • “The roads are too dangerous to drive on, and I don’t want to risk my safety or anyone else’s by coming into work today.”

Family Event

If you have an important family event or commitment that conflicts with your work schedule, it's understandable to need to take time off. Whether it's a wedding, funeral, or another significant event, communicate with your employer and provide advance notice if possible. Make arrangements for missed work as needed.

Best Excuses to Call Out of Work When there is a Family Event:

  • “My sister is getting married tomorrow and I need to take the day off to attend her wedding.”
  • “Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away and I need to attend his funeral tomorrow. I’ll make sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as possible.”
  • “My daughter has an important school event that I need to attend tomorrow, so I won’t be able to come into work. Can we discuss making up missed work at a later date?”

Conclusion

Calling out of work is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. While there are certainly valid reasons for needing time off, it's important to consider the impact your absence may have on your team and the company as a whole. If you do need to call out, be honest and respectful in your communication with your employer, and try to provide as much notice as possible. And remember, taking care of your physical and mental health should always be a top priority - so don't be afraid to use these best excuses to call out of work when you need them. With a little bit of planning and consideration, you can ensure that both you and your workplace are able to thrive.

Yulys is a job search platform for job seekers and employers worldwide, offering resources for finding part-time, full-time, remote, and work-from-home jobs. With our platform, you can easily search for your next opportunity, whether you're just starting your career or looking for more flexibility.

FAQ’s

What's the Best Excuse to Call out of Work?

The best excuse to call out of work is a genuine illness or family emergency that requires immediate attention.

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Aneeb Ahmad

Update at 03/17/2023

Aneeb is a full-stack SEO & Content Marketer. He drives our inbound marketing efforts on all touchpoints & writes just about everything related to career guidance, interviews, and professional growth. He loves talking about football when he’s not wordsmithing.

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