If possible, choose a time when your supervisor is less busy or stressed. If your workplace has a formal process for requesting time off, such as an HR portal or email, be sure to follow that protocol. If it’s more informal, a direct phone call or face-to-face conversation may be more appropriate. When notifying your employer, provide a copy of the jury summons and any other required documentation.
If you get robbed on the way to work, it’s one circumstance that many bosses will give you some leeway to miss work. For example, you might need some time to cancel your credit cards, or you may not have your phone or work computer to do your work properly. 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.
Whatever the reason to call out of work, here’s how to explain. The one thing you shouldn’t use a personal day for is your job search. This is dishonest and could put your coworkers in a tough position if you call out at the last minute for no good reason. Use traditional paid time off for your interviews and plan ahead as much as you can.
Even if it’s not your fault, showing awareness that your absence might impact the team demonstrates professionalism. 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. Other types of family emergencies can include a family member being involved in a car accident and you needing to visit them at the hospital.
Please let me know if there are any additional steps I need to take or if any documentation is required to support my sick leave request. I am writing to inform you that I cannot come to work today due to insert reason for an illness. I believe it would be best to stay home and rest to avoid spreading illness to my coworkers and customers. Another note is that taking a work-from-home day on your sick days doesn’t help you or the company. Even if you feel relaxed working from the comfort of your bed, your sickness might take a toll on your productivity. Ideally, you should notify them before the start of the workday or as soon as you realize you can’t come in.
If you say you have a sick child, you don’t need to share every symptom as proof that they’re not feeling well. In unsafe weather conditions, you should prioritize your safety and communicate the situation to your employer. They will most likely understand the situation because no employer expects you to brave hazardous weather to come to work.
No decent manager is going to criticize you for taking care of these things immediately. Maybe it’s not an accident, but a flat tire, your car won’t start, or a cracked windshield. You might not want to ask for the whole day off depending on the circumstance, but it’s sure to be an acceptable excuse for coming in late if nothing else.
This varies by company policy, but frequent absences without valid reasons can impact your job. Having valid reasons to call out of work doesn’t mean abandoning your responsibilities. Proactively suggesting solutions, like delegating tasks or postponing meetings, demonstrates your commitment to the team. If your pet requires emergency veterinary care, taking time off to address the situation is a good reason to call out of work. In areas where severe weather conditions are common, such as blizzards or hurricanes, it may be unsafe for employees to travel to work.
If it comes back online later, I’ll let you know, but as of right now, I’m going to have to take the day off. 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. I wanted to call you first and let you know that I won’t be in today. You may have broken a tooth, had a crown come off, or you’re experiencing pain in your mouth.
If an employee experiences unexpected commuting issues, such as a train delay or accident, they may be unable to make it to work on time. If an employee’s child care falls through, they may need to take time off to care for their child. Find below a set of good excuses to miss work on short notice. We should consider such situations to improve work-life balance, and as an employer, as a method to boost productivity, well-being, and focus. If you’re not completely out of commission, offering a little flexibility, like answering urgent messages or helping with a quick handoff, is helpful. That said, don’t feel obligated to work if you’re truly unwell or overwhelmed.
For example, you or a close family member might be dealing with eviction. There’s also the issue of natural disasters, fires, and more. That said, try to get things fixed or come up with another source of transportation as soon as possible. Some bosses understand the struggle and how debilitating a lack of proper transportation can be.
If an employee’s car breaks down on the way to work, they may be unable to make it on time. This is a valid reason for missing work if the employee communicates the situation to their supervisor. There are also aspects like a flat tire that doesn’t require you to be off one day and some oil changes that can be done over the weekend.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or constantly anxious, it’s time to find a way to step back. Sudden home emergencies, like a burst pipe or electrical issues, often need to be addressed immediately to prevent further damage or risk to your safety. Most employers will understand that certain situations demand immediate attention, and calling out to resolve these emergencies is reasons to call out of work a valid reason.
Understanding these guidelines is essential for employees who wish to call out of work. Finally, stay in touch with your company as much as possible. If you find out you need more time off than you originally thought, tell them immediately. This will make it clear to your team that you take your job seriously. Either way, you may be asked to show your official jury summons to your employer, so be prepared. This doesn’t just affect parents that need to go to the office, either.
Be sure to share with your supervisor what you learned at the conference when you return. 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.
Juggling these emotional tasks with work can impair performance. Employers typically give employees time to grieve and handle related commitments. One of the most common—and legitimate—reasons to miss work is illness. Whether it’s the flu, a stomach bug, or a bad cold, showing up sick is no longer seen as a sign of dedication.