If you know ahead of time that you’re going to need time off, make sure to give your boss as much notice as possible. Just keep in mind that this excuse is only really legitimate if it’s limited to truly unexpected—and rare—occurrences. But make sure that your happy hours don’t infringe on your work hours. Even if they do, take a day off by calling for sick leave. If you’re among those who think that taking a legitimate day off work is a crime, we’re here to break that myth. In this article, we’ll explore nine reasons to call off work.
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Here are five things your career should not be in your life—and what your career absolutely can be. Job dissatisfaction is not a good excuse to skip out on work. If you’re unhappy with your job or certain day-to-day aspects, take it up with your manager or HR.
To wrap up, here are a couple of mistakes to avoid and bad reasons for calling out of work. If your employers don’t recognize your particular religious holiday, don’t shy away from bringing it up, as it is another valid excuse to call out of work. I will be unable to come to work today, date, to prioritize my mental health. I’m feeling burnt out and need a day to recharge and refocus.
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. Whether it’s a pipe burst or a bedbug infestation, problems with your home can distract you from working.
- Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies.
- “Taking the time to look after your mental health will always be a legitimate reason to miss work,” says Reidy.
- A dead or weak battery is a common reason why cars won’t start.
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If you’re unable to work, it’s mostly because you need some rest- some time to unwind. While many employers don’t have designated mental health days, most of them understand the importance of mental health. This excuse for missing work doesn’t work if you take public transportation to the office. But if you drive there, it’s a perfectly legitimate reason not to go into work on short notice. It doesn’t matter whether you were seriously injured or not. The shock and trauma you suffer as a result of getting in an accident should be enough to get you off work.
- However, some employers may have different policies, especially if you’ve worked extra hours during the rest of the workweek.
- They may also include things protected by law or that are simply too taboo for anyone to question you.
- I’m happy to discuss alternative work arrangements like working from home or delegating tasks to my colleagues to ensure everything runs smoothly while I’m away.
- Her passions include mental health advocacy, travel, animals, and nature photography.
- I will also make arrangements to ensure my absence does not cause significant delays in ongoing projects.
Yes, you could try, but more than likely your attention will be on other things. If you can, it’s best to step away from your desk for the day, use your sick time or PTO, and take care of your family. Finally, avoid using any last-minute excuse for which you could have provided advance notice. But if you simply forget to talk to your manager, it’s not going to reflect well on you. Some employers will require a doctor’s note or proof of illness for this to be considered a legit reason to call off work.
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I called a roofer and they’ll be here sometime in the next 3 hours. I don’t want it to cause more damage, so I’ll need to take the day off so we can get this repaired. No one will ask questions if you need to take time off for bereavement. If you’re attending a funeral, you’ll want to give your employer as much time in advance as possible, but for bereavement in general, it could be last minute. Many companies offer a bereavement benefit that allows you to take paid time off for a certain number of days. Check with your HR if you’re unsure if this is a benefit you have.
That’s especially true if they need to enter your home to take care of whatever issue you’re experiencing. On the other hand, if you had other car trouble such as engine trouble or faulty brakes, it might be easier to get the entire day off. Especially if you normally commute a long way to work and can’t take a taxi.
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I will be out of the office starting today insert date and plan to return on insert return date. All my essential tasks are completed, and I have informed my colleagues to ensure a smooth operation in my absence. I will also be available via email and phone to reasons to call off work address any urgent issues. Due to the extreme weather conditions in my area, I cannot come to work. I request a leave of number of days days, starting from date to date, to ensure my safety and that of my family.
You can never plan around these debilitating issues, so your only choice is to take things easy and wait for things to pass at home. Remember that you’ll likely be asked why this issue is occurring and why you didn’t have advanced notice. This is where it’s helpful to have a good relationship with your employer. If you’re an honest and hard worker, you’re less likely to get pushback.
For instance, saying ”I need to handle a personal matter” or ”I have a family obligation” can be sufficient. Respect for personal boundaries is essential in professional settings. Understanding which excuses to avoid can help maintain your professional integrity. Medical appointments are a commonly accepted reason to get out of work. This balance is crucial for long-term career success and personal well-being.
You should inform your employer in advance of any religious holidays that may require time off so that they can make any necessary accommodations. Specifics differ from state to state, but there are federal regulations in place demanding employers ”reasonably accommodate” religious beliefs. No one will question you if you’ve injured yourself or if someone in your family has an injury. While you may not receive paid time off depending on where you live, some states require paid sick leave that can be used for this.
If your pet has an emergency, that’s certainly an acceptable excuse to call out of work. Your dog might’ve gotten into the trash and potentially eaten something poisonous. Or you need to take a pet to a surgical procedure or some other type of appointment. Some companies have a formal bereavement leave policy to cover death in the family, so be sure to check your employee handbook for guidelines. If not, you can talk to human resources or your manager directly about what happened and why you need time off. Loss is something we can all relate to, and your boss should understand that you need to take time for this.
