To text in sick, be prompt, professional, and brief, stating you're unwell and won't be in, offering a quick update on your return, and checking company policy for specific procedures, using templates like: "Hi [Manager's Name], I woke up feeling unwell and need to take a sick day today. I'll keep you updated if I need more time. Thanks!".
You should say: "Good morning [Manager's Name], I'm feeling sick today and won't be able to work. Please let me know if you need anything from me." Maintaining professionalism ensures that your absence is taken seriously and doesn't come across as an excuse.
When calling in sick to work, be concise and honest, stating something like, "I'm not feeling well and need to take a sick day," while offering limited personal details to maintain professionalism and respect for your workplace.
I'm not feeling well enough to come to the office, and I don't want to risk passing anything on to anyone else. I'm going to take a sick day today to recover. Hopefully, I will be able to come back to work tomorrow. I will let [team member] know too, and I will forward any information they need while I'm off.
An employee has to let their employer know that they are going to take sick or carer's leave. This has to be done as soon as possible, and can be after the leave has started. They should also specify how long they will be off or expect to be off work.
Here's a quick way to decide: Call by phone if your absence is urgent or you're expected at work soon. It's also the best option if your manager prefers direct communication. Send a text message if your team already uses texting and you need to notify someone quickly, especially outside business hours.
Be honest and direct (but brief)
Example: “I woke up feeling extremely sick and unable to work today. I'll check in later if I'm feeling better, but for now, I need to take a sick day.” If the issue is sensitive—like a mental health matter or family crisis—you can keep it vague while still sounding professional.
Hi [Manager Name], I've had an unexpected family emergency and will need to take the day off today to tend to it. I've contacted [Name] who will be able to cover my shift today in my absence. I hope to be in tomorrow as planned. If anything changes, I will contact you immediately.
The most believable excuses are short, specific, and tied to legitimate responsibilities or unavoidable situations. Examples include sudden illness, a medical appointment that couldn't be scheduled outside work hours, urgent family needs, or car/transportation issues.
Writing a clear and polite leave message on WhatsApp can help ensure your manager understands your situation while maintaining professionalism. Hi [Manager's Name], I'm feeling unwell today and need to take a sick leave for the day. I've informed [Colleague's Name] to cover urgent tasks. Thanks for understanding.
Example 1: General illness
"Hi [Boss's Name], I woke up feeling very ill today and think it's best I take a sick day to recover. I will keep you updated on my condition. Thank you for understanding."
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I won't be able to come to the office today. I'll be reachable and working remotely to handle any urgent matters. 6. I have a family emergency and need to stay home today.
Calling in sick can induce anxiety for workers who wonder when to call, what to say and how to say it. They may question whether they are truly sick enough to take the day off or worry that missing work will reflect poorly on them.
Give plenty of notice
Flagging that you feel unwell from the moment you come down with something can help your workplace prepare alternative arrangements. But if you've fallen sick overnight, Tibbutt says calling your manager “an hour or two before you start work” is usually okay.
I'm not fine
It's easier for prospects to read and reply to texts than it is to get them to take phone calls or reply to emails. That's why your sales teams will have a higher chance of getting a reply via text than any other medium. On average, it takes 90 seconds to respond to a text – and 90 minutes to respond to an email!
Let your boss know you've got to be out for a medical appointment and will follow up after. (Pro Tip: If you're calling in sick, keep it short and clear. A simple "Hey, I'm not feeling well today and don't want to risk spreading anything—taking a sick day" shows you're responsible without overexplaining.
Most believable excuses for pulling a sickie
7 steps to taking time off
Examples of quiet firing may include:
Excluding an employee from key meetings and projects. Giving an employee less desirable duties. Having an employee report to an office that is further away. Providing other subtle hints that an employee's presence is no longer valued.
Some might think physical pain or a family emergency is the only valid excuse to take a day off of work. But in reality, there are plenty of reasons that you might call out of work. From a bad cold to needing a mental health day, it's OK to take the time you need to rest.
What are the rules for a 9/80 schedule? Employees in a 9/80 schedule receive an extra day off every two weeks, but must still work a total of 80 hours during that time. To reach that mark, they work eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day.
Text is objectively better for documentation! Exactly - Calling is better for them so that they can conveniently forget that you ever called in the first place.
Stomach Issues (The Classic Safe Bet)
Stomach problems remain the most used and most believable sick day excuse. Why? Because it's hard to argue with. Stomach bugs are common, unpredictable, and usually short-term—making them the perfect excuse for a single day off.
It is normal to fall ill, and there is no need to apologize for it or provide an explanation for using a sick day. While it is acceptable to extend an apology for the inconvenience, there is no need to feel guilty using your sick days.