This will help you maintain a positive relationship with your employer and avoid any potential misunderstandings. If that’s you, here are 32 legitimate reasons to get out of work that most people won’t question – most of them are good excuses to miss work on short notice. Many companies won’t make you give an excuse these days if you have paid time off (PTO) to take. Due to an urgent health issue with my pet, I am requesting to take the day off today.

Personal

  • Maybe you are worn out from work or home life, and you want a chance to make up for lost time with rest, get a few things done, or unwind.
  • If the issue is sensitive—like a mental health matter or family crisis—you can keep it vague while still sounding professional.
  • I need to take the day off and take her to the doctor today.
  • Depending on what it is and your work situation, you might be able to get away with this.
  • Getting into a doctor’s office last minute is like winning the lottery.
  • If you find yourself unable to get to work due to a transportation problem, contact your employer immediately.

Similarly, if your pet died, you may be able to request a day off to get it cremated, bury it, and grieve. Explain what the home emergency issue is and why it can’t wait. For example, if you live further away from the office than most employees. Such as if you commute into the city, you can say that the roads in your suburb weren’t cleared yet from the snow, preventing you from heading out of the house.

good reasons to call out of work (and 4 ways to communicate it)

If you can’t avoid missing work, your boss or manager is likely to understand your need to attend to a pet emergency. If you’re suffering from seasonal allergies, a minor headache, or a mild case of the common cold, you can probably still get things done. However, if an illness is keeping you from being fully engaged or focused on your job, it’s best to take a day off to rest. Remember, even if you could work from the comfort of your bed, that doesn’t mean you’ll be effective.

A family emergency requires your attention

It’s important to make sure you’re helping your working parents focus their energy on what matters most. Mikayla Balk is a content writer focusing on emotional wellness and mental health. Her passions include mental health advocacy, travel, animals, and nature photography.

Valid Reasons To Call Off Work

In addition to understanding your company’s policies, it’s essential to be aware of your legal rights as an employee. Various laws protect workers when it comes to taking leave, and knowing these rights can help you advocate for yourself if necessary. When requesting bereavement leave, inform your employer as soon as possible. A simple message stating that you have experienced a loss and need time off is usually sufficient.

Make this summer drink a part of your routine and feel the difference it brings. This drink comes loaded with soluble fibres from every ingredient. That means it keeps you full, supports digestion, and reduces the bloated feeling we all hate in summer. For those seeking more solitude and a peaceful ride, weekdays offer the best opportunity to enjoy the trails without the crowds. Sometimes you just want a leisurely drive through the woods and other times you may want a little more of a challenge. Beginner-friendly forest roads provide smooth sailing, or you can test out your wheels on more rugged terrain filled with rocks, ruts, mud and fallen trees.

Just don’t use it too often or it will look like you don’t have reliable transportation. My drive is blocked with about 2 feet of snow and it is white-out conditions on the road. Or maybe you overslept and you don’t want to confess (and yes, sleeping in is not a great reason for missing work or being late).

  • 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.
  • Just be clear and direct, give the general excuse/reason that you’re going to use to miss work, and then stop talking and see how your boss responds.
  • 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.

We gained from the pandemic that people paid more attention to their health. We have realized the importance of taking necessary precautions while being sick to keep ourselves and others safe. This is to request some time reasons to call out off work to attend a religious obligation of great personal significance. I would like to request number of days days of leave, starting from date to date, to participate fully in the event.

I won’t be able to get in until they reopen tomorrow morning. I’m waiting for my son to bring me a spare set of keys so I can get into my car and get home. The change in weather and the orange blossoms are really triggering me. I’ve had some swelling in my throat and I can’t stop coughing. I’m sorry for any inconvenience, but I think it’s best that I stay home today.

If a strike occurs, it’s important to communicate with your employer about the situation. Collaborate with us to provide your employees an engaging and rewarding experience. She works as a Content Marketing Specialist at Vantage Lens. Her areas of interest include marketing, mental well-being, travel, and digital tech.

This varies by company policy, but frequent absences without valid reasons can impact your job. Remember, if you’re too sick, dealing with a family emergency, or need complete rest, it’s perfectly fine to set boundaries. A simple, “I won’t be reachable today” is professional and sufficient.

One accommodates illness, while the other allows you to call out for much more personal reasons. A mental health day is a day employees are allowed to take time off for self-care and mental well-being. I’ve had horrible jobs myself, and I understand having a feeling of panic in the morning when you’re simply overwhelmed and want to call out. Feeling sick is one of the most common reasons people miss work, and it’s a good one. Whether you’re in bed with a severe flu or are simply feeling under the weather, employees miss work due to personal illness all the time, and nobody thinks twice. Despite having valid reasons for calling out of work, you may occasionally face disputes or denials from your employer.

If you’re feeling tired to the point where it’s difficult to concentrate or stay alert, you should seriously consider 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.

According to a survey by Bamboo HR, almost 90% of employees work through sickness or feel guilty when calling out of work. Things come up on short notice, leaving us scrambling to balance personal needs/responsibilities and professional responsibilities. We start to look a bit too padded.” Ultimately, the absence of overweight zombies comes down to the practical challenge of making them visually convincing. What matters most is not judgment, but connection—and offering help with care and understanding. Stubbornness, refusing to follow requests, sudden outbursts—many parents of 8–11-year-olds know this kind of behavior all too well. But most of the time, it’s not about being difficult or having a “bad attitude.” It’s a sign that something’s not easy for your child right now.

When you find yourself in a situation where you need to call out of work, preparation is key. Jury duty is a civic responsibility, and employers are generally required to allow employees to take time off for this obligation. If you receive a jury summons, inform your employer as soon as possible. Most companies have policies in place for handling jury duty, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them.