How to Call in Sick to Work: What to Say to Your Manager

Since going to work sick can spread illness to others, you want to avoid showing up at your job sneezing and coughing. A sick day starts with alerting your boss or human resources department that you need to take the day off.

Before you call in sick, consider reviewing your employer’s sick leave policy by consulting your employee handbook or asking human resources. Some company policies allow for paid sick leave, and others only supply unpaid leave. If you need a mental health day due to burnout, consider asking for a personal day from your accrued vacation days instead of calling in sick.

In some cases, federal law may protect you when you miss work. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows workers to take off work for several months if they meet specific qualifications, though the law does not cover regular sick time off. Your state or city may have specific protections as well.

Knowing when to call in sick will help you and your team cover work in your absence. If you can do remote work, your employer may allow you to work from home until you recover from your illness. Call in sick when:

• You have symptoms of physical illness: If you experience a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, coughing, or other physical symptoms, call in sick to work to avoid possible viral spread to your fellow employees. If you have mild symptoms, consider wearing a face mask in public.
• You need a mental health day: If you suffer from mental health conditions—such as burnout, stress-related anxiety, or depression—a personal day off or a vacation day can help ease symptoms. If you find your mental health symptoms overwhelming or ongoing, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
• Your symptoms prevent you from executing work tasks: Even if you can work from home, specific symptoms may prevent you from doing your job. For example, a migraine or fever may keep you from working on the computer.

When you start to feel ill, follow these guidelines to appropriately and professionally call in sick:

1. 1. Alert your supervisor as soon as possible. Let your employer know as soon as possible that you need to take the day off.
2. 2. Be brief. Avoid a long-winded explanation about your illness or any doctor’s appointments you might have. Simply let them know you feel ill and will be out for the day.
3. 3. Choose the proper mode of communication. Your company may have policies in place for how to alert your supervisor when you fall ill. Your supervisor may prefer a sick-day email, phone call, voicemail, or text message. If you feel sick last minute, choose the fastest possible alert method.
4. 4. Prepare for your return. If you plan to be out for several days, your employer may ask for documentation, such as a doctor’s note. Communicate with your supervisor and team members about any information you may have missed and the duties you must attend to when you return.

When you call in sick, you want to sound professional and candid about your condition. Avoid overdramatizing your symptoms, and keep your message brief. For example, you might say something like:

Hello, Mr. Peterson; this is Mary. I woke up this morning with a fever and a sore throat, so I won’t be able to come to work today. Please call me at home if you need anything, and I expect to be back at work tomorrow. Thank you.

Once you’ve called in sick, consider taking the following additional actions:

1. 1. Communicate with your team members. Depending on your position, you may need to tell other team members that you won’t be at work. There may be jobs or projects you need to get covered by another employee or activities you can do remotely.
2. 2. Create an out-office-message. Set an automatic email response message and voicemail message that you’ll be out for the day in case anyone attempts to contact you. Explain that you’ll respond as soon as you return to the office.
3. 3. Sanitize your work area. When you feel well enough to return, consider cleaning your desk and work area to eliminate any lingering germs. Also, think about wearing a face mask.

All you need is a MasterClass Annual Membership and our exclusive video lessons from the likes of Elaine Welteroth (the former editor in chief of Teen Vogue and host of CBS’ The Talk), Issa Rae (the powerhouse multihyphenate behind HBO’s Insecure), Robin Arzón (the lawyer-turned-head instructor of Peloton), and other luminaries who have have embraced the twists and turns on the path to professional success. With their guidance, you’ll learn how to lean into your strengths, follow your heart, and build the career of your dreams.