Your boss would never dare be too hard on you in the prevalent politically correct corporate atmosphere. Most car troubles that would deter you from going to work would need you to take your car to the mechanic. So, you need to arrange a fake mechanic invoice for some regular repair and maintenance, which you should be able to do easily if you are on friendly terms with your mechanic. And if you cannot arrange a forfeit invoice, a dead car battery is the best car-excuse. When you are working remotely, your boss cannot see you or your computer.

If you spin your web too complicated, chances are your manager would call you out and nobody is a big fan of such moments. Though you might find it helpful to work during this stressful time, unless you’re truly able to give work your all, taking some time away from the job is the best choice. Even when you think you can balance work with patient care, you never know what the day will bring. It’s better to focus on caregiving instead of trying to fit in some work between taking a temperature and heating up soup.

Excuses to Call Out of Work: Legitimate Reasons for Short Notice Absences

In some cases, you may even qualify for up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). However, if you habitually are late or absent because of transportation, your boss will likely start raising eyebrows and wonder if you’re being truthful. Discover how personalized coaching can help you manage work stress and improve productivity. When you take care of yourself, you can be fully present at work. That will make, you and your employer, happier in the long run. It’s a practice that challenges us to look inward at our experience, though it’s personal and unique to every individual.

I feel so embarrassed and I’m sorry for this last-minute notice. If your boss knows you practice a religion, they usually won’t ask questions or blink an eye at this excuse to get out of work. Some holidays are observed by companies in the US, but many are not. If a significant holiday isn’t observed at your company, don’t be afraid to ask for the day off. 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.

My kid is sick

I just received the notification and the window for delivery is all day. 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.

Guides to Smarter Job Search

1. Her passions include mental health advocacy, travel, animals, and nature photography.
2. You can experience rough patches and occasional unavoidable emergencies.
3. OK, so it might be easier for remote workers to fake sickness.
4. Many companies allow both on-site and remote workers to “call out” via proprietary intranet portals.
5. So, you need to arrange a fake mechanic invoice for some regular repair and maintenance, which you should be able to do easily if you are on friendly terms with your mechanic.
6. Always keep this in mind while looking for excuses to call out of work.

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. If you do have to go somewhere in-person, contagious symptoms like coughing could be considered a good excuse to call out of work.

However, these excuses should be used sparingly and honestly to preserve your workplace integrity. Family emergencies can arise unexpectedly, demanding our immediate attention. Whether it’s a sick child, a hospitalized family member, or a home emergency like a burst pipe, these situations warrant missing work on short notice. Although beyond our control, most bosses will understand the urgency of these matters. There is nothing so important that you should risk your personal health to get it done.

You should request the day off in advance and trust that your employer will manage the situation efficiently during your absence. Dedicate the time, energy, reasons to call out of work and emotions the day deserves without worrying about other people’s feelings. If you are experiencing stress, either personally or professionally, it can be beneficial to take a mental health day or a stress leave to recover. If you must miss work due to an event, providing a legitimate reason that does not abuse company policies is essential. Additionally, communicating your absence effectively is crucial in maintaining trust with your employer for the future.

I was in the parking lot unloading my stuff and I ripped a giant hole in the crotch of my pants. Considering 44% of households have a dog and 26% have a cat (AVMA), I’d say this is a good excuse to get out of work. If your boss has pets, they’re more likely to understand a pet emergency. Hopefully, this never happens to you, but if it does, this is a solid reason to call out of work. It may be something major such as a shooting in the New York subway you witnessed, or a hit-and-run accident on the freeway. Either way, the right thing to do is to stick around (if it’s safe to do so) and speak to the police.

I can’t keep anything down and I won’t be able to come in to work today. My nanny called in sick at the last minute this morning and I can’t find anyone else to watch our kids. I was up last night with chills and the worst sore throat of my life. I went in and took a Covid and Flu test but I’m waiting for the results. I’m going to stay home and rest today while I wait for the results.

1. If it’s a repair issue, you must be there to allow experts in and assess the damage.
2. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes things happen that prevent us from making it to work.
3. This offers the opportunity to make excuses like ‘’my computer suddenly broke down’’.
4. While these typically remain mild and go away independently without treatment, they are also highly contagious.
5. In case of faulty breaks, flat tires, or other car problems, it would be best to inform your employer immediately to minimize inconveniences for everyone involved.

Your availability in the workplace shows your commitment to the collective and your reliability. If you do not believe these issues can be resolved, exploring other job opportunities more compatible with your needs and objectives is advisable. It’s common to wake up exhausted and tempted to use it as an excuse to miss work. However, we advise against it as the consequences could be more severe than expected. It’s best to get ready quickly and head to work, even if you are behind schedule. If you’re driving to work, plan out your route well to avoid traffic, and in the case of a traffic incident, avoid using it as an excuse to miss work.

Your management is certainly aware that weather control is not in your hands but make sure you do not get caught either. Jonathan was not aware of this and cited bad weather conditions to skip work. His manager, on the other hand, traveled by the same route to the office and instantaneously caught his lie.

It could be something as simple as running out of gas on the highway as you’re commuting to the office. Or, it can be as dramatic as the family emergencies we listed earlier. Regardless, it’s important to know when to call out so that you can take care of yourself and maintain a good work-life balance. Maybe you’re moving to a new apartment or juggling home renovations on top of your work schedule.

For example, if your PTO policy says that all time off requests need to be submitted to HR, don’t submit yours to your direct manager. If the policy states that all employees must call their manager directly to let them know they’ll be missing work for the day, don’t send an email or a Slack message. While there is no federal law that requires employers grant employees time off to vote, 29 states (and the District of Columbia) do. So, if you live in one of those states and want to cast your vote, your employer has to give you at least a partial day off (generally between 2 and 4 hours) to do so. Whatever your reason is for requesting leave, either short-term or for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to be upfront and honest about your situation. Try to estimate how much time you need and be sure to update your supervisor if things change.