List of believable sick day excuses (17+)
By
OptimistMinds
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Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
All of us out there need a day off to relax and not worry about work, atleast for a day apart from vacations, paid leaves, or holidays. As an employee myself, I know that calling in sick to get out of work comes with feelings of worry and guilt about what can happen if you ever get called out on your lie.
This article will present a list of believable sick day excuses (and some unbelievable ones) for missing work.
List of believable sick day excuses
- You Have a Doctor’s Appointment
- You are Down With the Flu
- You Have got Food Poisoning
- You Have a Root Canal Problem or Other Dental Problems
- You are Suffering an Allergic Reaction
- You are Having a Migraine
- I Have Hardcore Bathroom Issues
- Wifi or Internet Issues
- Your Child is Sick, and There isn’t Anyone Else to Care for them
- Your Kid’s Babysitter has Called in Sick, and No one is available to Handle Him/Her
- Your Pet is Sick or Missing
- There is a Family Emergency
- You Have Just Declared a Mental Health Day
- There Has Been a Death in the Family
- You are Off to Celebrate a Religious Event/Holiday
- You Have a Home Repair Project
- There Has been a Gas Leak at Your Home
- There is a plumbing Issue in the house
- You Have Lost your Car/House Keys, Wallet, or Phone
- Going For A Blood Donation Drive
- New Baby in the Family
- You Got in an Accident
You Have a Doctor’s Appointment
You to visit the doctor’s office for a regular health checkup, physical therapy, or counselling, whatever the reason may be. Your doc may be busy during the weekend, because of which you would be forced you agree on a last-minute appointment for any of the said reasons. Just let your boss know that the appointment was unavoidable, and you will have nothing to be worried about. Some employers may also need you to provide documentation if the company policy dictates it.
You are Down With the Flu
Let your employer know that you are down with the flu and that you would not be able to make it to work. Most employers would take that as a good excuse as flu can be passed on to others at work. If you could produce proper paperwork that supports your claim, all the better.
You Have got Food Poisoning
While it is a completely different reason than feeling ill, most believe food poisoning comes with nasty bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Your boss will likely ask no more about your predicament, as most of us just stay home and have home medications.
You Have a Root Canal Problem or Other Dental Problems
There isn’t a soul in the world who does not know how nasty dental issues can be; a cavity, an exposed nerve, it could be anything. Intimate your boss about an emergency visit to the dentist’s practice, and it is quite likely that he or she would not stop you. If anything, you may just get a few more days to yourself!
You are Suffering an Allergic Reaction
Allergies can be quite scary yet very sketchy. You could easily state that you have an allergic reaction, and no one would question you further. Tada! You get a day or two to rest to your heart’s content.
You are Having a Migraine
Oh! This is a classic. Most of us are already aware of how nasty migraines can be and how they could hamper your work and productivity. If you tell your boss that you are having a migraine, you would likely get that off without even asking for it. So chill out and get that much-needed rest.
I Have Hardcore Bathroom Issues
Diarrhea and constipation are two things that could strike anyone even if there is no underlying cause to it. It is unlikely that your boss will press too much on the matter if you mention either of the two problems as both of them can be a nuisance. Stay home till you get better is the only thing you can do.
Wifi or Internet Issues
This a favorite excuse for all those who work from home. The lack of internet and wifi connection can severely impede your work a great deal and can be a great excuse if you are looking for a day off to rest. You could always make it up at a later day and complete your work whenever you are comfortable. As long as the work is done correctly, the how should not matter much! Right?
Your Child is Sick, and There isn’t Anyone Else to Care for them
Quite an underhanded excuse, in my view as a parent. It is quite likely that your boss would not pry too much if you call in saying that your child is sick. It is a sure-shot way to get out of work, indeed!
Your Kid’s Babysitter has Called in Sick, and No one is available to Handle Him/Her
Working parents would totally get this excuse! For there is nothing you can really do if your babysitter is not around and you have to stay back to care for your child. Most employers would understand your issue and grant a day off without any question.
Your Pet is Sick or Missing
This excuse can work even better if your boss is an animal lover like you… Let your boss know that you need a day off because your dog needs to be taken to a vet or that it has run away. Both can be quite distressing and time-consuming. You may be allowed to take the day off to care for your pet or go on a long-winded search to look for your lost pet.
There is a Family Emergency
This is a good one but rather vague… It could be anything. Maybe you need to go on an errand to get an important package, and no one else but you can manage it. Or your parents are sick, and you need to be around to take care of them. The reasons are many… but not many bosses will press you further.
You Have Just Declared a Mental Health Day
You may be distressed or upset about something or just too worked up to drag yourself for another workday. All you need to do is call up your employer and inform him that you need a mental health day. All of us need to catch a break every once in a while, don’t we?
There Has Been a Death in the Family
A death of a loved one, be it a friend or a family member, is a good enough excuse to miss work. So is a funeral. It is quite likely that your boss will grant you an off for a day or two or more without poking you further on the whys and hows.
You are Off to Celebrate a Religious Event/Holiday
Festivals and religious events can also be great excuses to get a break from work. And your boss may actually encourage taking a few days off as challenging one’s religion can land your boss in a different mess altogether.
You Have a Home Repair Project
This is another good excuse. If you are stuck at home and wish to work like most of us out there, you may probably have a hard time with all the hustle and bustle going around in the house. Tell your boss that your house is undergoing renovations or repairs and get a couple of days off to get your issues sorted.
There Has been a Gas Leak at Your Home
A good employer will not question you much if you tell him/her that there has been a gas leak at home and you would not be able to make it to work. Gas leaks are quite a risky thing and are not to be trifled with.
There is a plumbing Issue in the house
As disgusting as it may sound, plumbing issues at home can effectively keep you off work if you relay it the right way, and you may just get the day off to “fix” your plumbing.
You Have Lost your Car/House Keys, Wallet, or Phone
Losing your keys, wallet or phone can cause quite a lot of distress and disrupt your day. Calling your boss and letting him/her know that you have lost one of the said objects may grant you a day off to report the loss and manage your affairs.
Going For A Blood Donation Drive
Every once in a while, a moment may come when you need to step up for a good cause and what better than blood donation? Once you let your boss know how important this is to you, they will understand and grant the day off for you to do the deed and get some rest for yourself.
New Baby in the Family
Unless you are a seer, there is no chance that you can predict a babe’s arrival in the world. Your sibling or best friend has just got a baby, and you need to be there to see it. It is unlikely that your employer will stop you from doing so.
You Got in an Accident
Not a fun moment, but it can happen to anyone! And unless your boss is a heartless being, this excuse will grant you the off you may need to recover from the ordeal.
Some (un)believable sick day excuses/ Excuses Not to Use When You Call in Sick
1. There is a bear in your backyard, and you are too afraid to get out of your house.
2. You ate too much at the party last night, and you are too tired to get up!
3. You forgot that you had to get to work today!
4. You are having a massive hangover
5. Your cat is having kittens, and you need to stay back to give it some emotional support!
6. You are too fat to fit into your clothes/uniform
7. Your dog has swallowed your car keys, and you are waiting for it to come out
How to “sell” your excuse
Follow these basic rules, and you will be in the clear.
– Avoid lying and be as truthful as you can be
– Avoid giving away too many details
– Never pretend to make up thing you do not feel
– Keep your boss and co-workers updated
– Offer to provide documentation to support your reasons
– Do not keep your boss or co-worker hanging; once you know you cannot make it let them know as soon as you can
– Make sure you confirm that all the people concern know of your absence, never assume that they may already know
– Avoid giving silly excuses
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with calling in sick. These things can happen to anybody. But the trick is to avoid lying or giving flimsy excuses that can get you into trouble with your boss or, worse, even lose your job!
We have given some unbelievable ones as well so you can avoid them at all costs.
The excuses mentioned above are only some of the more believable ones, and you will always find many more believable excuses as anything can happen anytime!
FAQ on the list of believable sick day excuses
Is it legal for an employer to ask why you need a sick day?
While there are no laws dictating that your employer cannot ask you why your calling in sick. But they are free to ask you basic questions like the reason when you would return or even ask for supporting documentation and more.
Can you get fired for calling in sick?
Yes, it is quite possible, especially if the contract states that you are not entitled to any sudden offs or holidays.
This rings true in the case of people who are on employment at will agreements. So, unless your contract has some other cause that says otherwise.
However, there could be some exceptions to such cases.
References
– https://tosaylib.com/good-excuses-to-miss-work-on-short-notice/
– https://toughnickel.com/business/25-Best-Excuses-for-Missing-Work
